** RAM Controls Reproduction Star Wars Flight Yoke Controller **

[Daviea]

At long last, the yoke controllers are done and shipping!!

This is the first controller to roll off the assembly line and it's going to our very own Havok who I'm sure will be happy to say a few words about it as soon as he takes delivery. :-)

Ordering is now OPEN.

Read about it here: http://www.ram-controls.com/blog-sw.html

Order it here: http://www.ram-controls.com/order-sw.html

Talk about HERE on BYOAC!!!

Thanks go out to everyone who was patient and allowed me the time to complete this project as a high quality product you've all grown accustomed to seeing from RAM Controls.

I'm outta here!

Dave

[danny_galaga]

Holy crap! that is great work! I vaguely recall you working on this. The arcade world is so much the better for your efforts. And for such a specialised piece, the price is great  

edit: and by the time you are selling the SW cockpit cabs, i'll be rich enough to afford it, and the crazy freight to Australia (",)

edit edit: just read through the cockpit blog. You are actually get MONITORS made too? Man you are dedicated, and maybe crazy! And thank god you are 

[Breaker]

Hi Dave

Awesome news!
Congrats Havok!!

As a fellow pre-orderer I can't wait for the SWY to arrive....and a huge thanks to Dave for the incredible efforts he has invested in this repo!

What a great Christmas present to the arcade community.

Breaker.

[Xiaou2]

Legendary !!!

 

[Gatt]

Very nice!

I hope to order one tomorrow.

[Level42]

 

[zorg]

great work. finaly as we say in french "tout vient à qui sait attendre" (more or less, patience is always rewarded !!! )

congrats David. !!

now lets frizz chime on

[saint]

Congratulations Dave! Excellent! Now I need to start saving my pennies... 

[Havok]

Looks like I'll be out in the garage for an extended period of time!

Can't wait!!!


 

[RayB]

Congratulations on completing this. 

[ChadTower]

 

Nice!

[Daviea]

Hey guys,

If you want to see more pictures and really dig into the process I had to go through to get this project completed, you really need to read the BLOG.

Check it out:  http://www.ram-controls.com/blog-sw.html

Thanks everyone!!

Dave

[CheffoJeffo]

It's nice to see the monkey off of your back ! 

Oh, and those yokes look somewhat cool as well! 

As always, my hat is off to folks who undertake projects that benefit our community, particularly those that have high setup and tooling costs.     

[Bender]

Cheers Dave!!
Great work!!
I too will be saving my pennies

[XtraSmiley]

Thanks Dave and congrats to those of you who will be restoring or building a SW!

[Breaker]

Hey Dave,

Quick question...how are you shipping the yokes?
I sent you a PM as I'm up in Canada and currently away for the Christmas break.
If the yoke was shipped via courier I may need to make arrangements for later delivery.

Thanks,
Breaker

[Daviea]

Everything is shipping via UPS, even orders outside of the United States.

Let me know if this presents any sort of issue for you.

Dave

Hey Dave,

Quick question...how are you shipping the yokes?
I sent you a PM as I'm up in Canada and currently away for the Christmas break.
If the yoke was shipped via courier I may need to make arrangements for later delivery.

Thanks,
Breaker

[Breaker]

Hey Dave,

Yep, I think it will be an issue if the yoke has shipped already.
I'll just need the tracking number so I can make arrangements with UPS.
I'll PM you with my personal info.

Thanks,
Breaker.

[CheffoJeffo]

Everything is shipping via UPS, even orders outside of the United States.

 

I STRONGLY recommend that folks who want to order from Canada talk to Dave in advance.

UPS has historically added $35-175 to your bill for brokerage fees. I can't think of one collector in Canada who who agrees to use UPS.

FWIW, for Dave and potential orderers ... use USPS to ship from the USA to Canada and pay full price for tracking ... it will cost less and work better,

EOS.

[ark_ader]

Everything is shipping via UPS, even orders outside of the United States.

 

I STRONGLY recommend that folks who want to order from Canada talk to Dave in advance.

UPS has historically added $35-175 to your bill for brokerage fees. I can't think of one collector in Canada who who agrees to use UPS.

FWIW, for Dave and potential orderers ... use USPS to ship from the USA to Canada and pay full price for tracking ... it will cost less and work better,

EOS.

That is because there are some addresses in Canada that need a helicopter or a dog and sled team to get to. 


Nice work Dave glad to see you finally made them.

[CheffoJeffo]

That is because there are some addresses in Canada that need a helicopter or a dog and sled team to get to. 

I would have laughed at that (and did) a few days back ... hell, Dallas has more snow than I do ...

[Breaker]

Hey ark_ader,

Edmonton isn't that far north - take off eh!

However, I do agree that shipping to Canada does run the risk of hefty brokerage fees, and that USPS is quick, cheap and reliable;
it's just not always an available (or convenient) option for vendors.

Now, off to feed the dogsled team...
Breaker

[RayB]

I'm another Canadian who avoids UPS like the plague unless it's Canada to Canada.

[jasonbar]

Congratulations, Dave.  That is a sweet sweet piece of hardware, especially with the USB adapter.  After I get through some other projects, I'll see if I can find a way to mount this temporarily to the front of my panel, like a PC steering wheel.

Thanks,
-Jason

[u_rebelscum]

Yay!!!  Ordered one (and some other stuff from RAM Controls I've wanted, but was waiting so I could do a single order). 

Hey, where did all my xmas gift money go?  ... 

[S0L]

Wow, I don't log in for a few days, and the news I always check for happens

Congrats on getting it done Dave, I knew you would. It looks perfect too!

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go sit by the door and wait for the postman, whilst making 'shooting at TIE Fighter' noises

---
S0L
---

[retrofuture]

Looks fantastic Dave. Well done  Can't wait for mine to arrive!

[Havok]

Something is in the mail for me...

 

[wp34]

Something is in the mail for me...

 

Awesome!   

Give us a review soon.

[DashRendar]

That's the thing about perfectionists, they take forever!  But once they're done, everyone's amazed at the results. 

 

[Gatinho]

Hi Dave!

Awesome!!!

I've been one of your long-time loyal pre-order customers... since 4/25/07!

Can't wait to see mine... the wait will be sooo worth it.

On the 21 of December, 27th of December, and 3rd of January 2010 I sent you some emails regarding my shipping address, but I haven't heard back.  Any news?

Thanks,

Gatinho

[Chunce DeLeone]

Dave,  Ditto, sent email regarding shipping dates but did not hear back......

[Havok]

Still waiting - the suspense is killing me!

[Katana Man]

Hi Dave,
  For someone with a Mame machine, I'm assuming this would not be usable without the USB interface.   Do you have an ETA on that?

[Havok]

Hi Dave,
  For someone with a Mame machine, I'm assuming this would not be usable without the USB interface.   Do you have an ETA on that?

You have many options for a Mame machine:

U-Hid
http://www.u-hid.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2&Itemid=4

AKI
http://bspeclabs.com/Electronics/8-AKI30JoystickInterface

Build Your Own!
http://www.mameworld.info/tigerheli/encoder/dual_strike/1up_hack/projects-dualstrike.html

Or Dave's unit. I pre-ordered one of Daves, however in the meantime I have a dual strike that I will be hacking to tide me over until Dave is shipping his USB interface.

There are probably others as well, but you are certainly not stuck waiting unless you choose to!

[Breaker]

Hey Katana Man,

You could also wire something up using the gameport.
I realize that new computers don't include a game port but my old-style SoundBlaster card has one
and if you have a gameport on your MAME machine, the method of connecting the SWY is detailed in
Saint's book (on pages 238-241) and also via a link to a tutorial here:   http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade_jude.shtml

Let us know when you get that yoke Havoc!!

Breaker.

[Loafmeister]

Hi Dave,
  For someone with a Mame machine, I'm assuming this would not be usable without the USB interface.   Do you have an ETA on that?

So, did you get it in?   Inquiring minds and all that

[XtraSmiley]

Who has their yoke now?  Reviews?

[FrizzleFried]

Yeah.... I'm sure a flood of reviews should be out any day now...


Havok... being you got the very first one off the line... and since it was "done and shipping" on the 28th (the 27th was a Sunday)... and being that was what...20 days ago... at least give us a heads up as to the quality... take a couple pix... stop holding out...

 

[Havok]

I'd love to give a review guys, but I haven't gotten it.

[polaris]

I'd love to give a review guys, but I haven't gotten it.

weren't they shipped 3 weeks ago? tracking no?

[Havok]

I asked for a tracking number twice, never got one.

[Breaker]

Hey Havok,

I think you and I are close to being numbers one and two on the per-order list and I haven't heard anything either;
but I did ask to have the yoke shipped after the new year.

Dave, can you quell speculation?

Thanks,
Breaker.

[RayB]

Maybe he's now perfecting the art of shipping.

[FrizzleFried]

I asked for a tracking number twice, never got one.

Say it isn't so!

[saint]

For the conspiracy theorists ... Thread was locked today. Log files say I locked it, I don't recall locking it but I do have fat fingers... Dunno. Thread's unlocked now.

--- saint

[HaRuMaN]

Hmm

[Hoopz]

Hmm

C&C Music Factory?

Trying to figure out who will have a yoke out before Ram Controls?

 

[HaRuMaN]

No, I just wanted to give the guy the benefit of the doubt... 

To hear that no one has got one yet when he said they were shipping, well, kinda hard to continue to think positive thoughts.

[Havok]

I'm sure there's some extenuating circumstance, but I just wish Dave would get it together and send out the yokes. I've seen some of his other stuff and I know he's for real - just wish he could tie this up and finish the job. I notice he hasn't logged in for a couple of weeks, so perhaps he got pulled away, but I think at this point he needs to make this right and drop other stuff to fix this.

[retrofuture]

I know that Dave's a busy guy. It's a hobby-business for him - just wait a while and he'll come through 

He's invested a load in this project, he really cares about the old Atari games (and keeping them running).

[fatfingers]

...but I do have fat fingers...

--- saint

Wait.  Wha?   

[Hoopz]

 

[FrizzleFried]

[Havok]

...but I do have fat fingers...

--- saint

Wait.  Wha?   

Saint is saying he owns you. In other words, you are his beyotch.

[ark_ader]

One possible reason?

[Havok]

LOL - that's the only reason I will accept!

[ratzz]

Got shot down in flames last time I commented on one of these threads about David's Yoke (including by Saint!) -- so I decided to take some time off from the forum.

Few months later and I'm glad to see the situation hasn't changed!

[XtraSmiley]

I remember something I bought from Dave a few years ago was suppose to be to me in less than 2 weeks ended up taking like 4 months.  He blamed his now ex partner for the shipping problem.

I did eventually get the item, plus something extra for my trouble.

I was fine with it, YMMV.

Someone please post when you get something.

[TPB]

Maybe Dave made this announcement as a pre-emptive stike to negate an expected bagging from Frizz, and buy himself some more time, upon not releasing the yoke by the dawn of 2010 ?

Or maybe the powder coating problem has caused some last minute hitches ?


On the bright side, RAM Controls have a good special for folks placing an order for 2 or more yokes :

FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OF $500 OR MORE

http://www.ram-controls.com/order-sw-cab-cockpit.html

[FrizzleFried]

...naw... couldn't be.

[Level42]

Not sure if I posted this before, but if I had been Dave, I would have posted nothing, finished the yokes, shipped them to all the faithful pre-orderers and sit back and watch the forums explode with happiness.......

[whynotpizza]

Another possible reason?

[mytymaus007]

Anyone set their yoke in a control panel or cab send some pics or ideas

[Hoopz]

Anyone set their yoke in a control panel or cab send some pics or ideas

No one has received them yet.

[Level42]

David reported he had been ill on the KLOV forum.

[Hoopz]

David reported he had been ill on the KLOV forum.

I hope he gets better.  I can also state that if he can post there, he can post here too.  Effective communication in this case may have stopped some of the idle thoughts that people have...

3+ weeks of being ill isn't good though.

[Havok]

David reported he had been ill on the KLOV forum.

But then on the 13th said he was back...

[Level42]

Yup. And it seems to be 21 now.

[Deadly]

This is not aimed at anyone but I'm really tired of seeing this SUBJECT here and on KLOV. Here's what I see.
A person sets a release date and fails multiple times. Daviea has admitted that.
Gets hammered on and eventually gives an update which this cycle happens several times and is still happening.
A "They're done and being shipped woohoo post" followed by a sickness period and then an "I'm alive" update joined with a "Waiting on the artwork" post.

Look guys I know David and think a lot of him but you guys with out a doubt have every right to be angry. But c'mon now guys, this stupid yoke isn't a life or death matter is it? If you're angry and tired of this drama then get your money back and be done with it. If you want/need the yoke then after 2+ years what's a few more weeks or months?
 it's really quite that simple. So much good has come from Daviea but yet the bad seems to always outweigh the good.  I'll arguably say that if it weren't for Daviea these would've never been made anyway.

[Hoopz]

This is not aimed at anyone but I'm really tired of seeing this SUBJECT here and on KLOV.

Then don't read them.  People have a right to ask about it and some will argue about it.

I'll arguably say that if it weren't for Daviea these would've never been made anyway.

You're assuming that they are, in fact, made.  Until they ship and consequently are received, as opposed to being shipped after Christmas and ending up in lala land, you can't say that they have definitely been made.

I'm not accusing him of lying to us but the fact is that they aren't done if they haven't shipped.  Period.

Say whatever you will about what he's done for the community, if he's posting at KLOV and doesn't have the stones to post here to tell us the next reason why they haven't shipped, then he not only is a liar and bordering on a thief, but he exceptionally sucks at communication.

[RayB]

Ah, Schrodinger's cat.   

[Havok]

This is not aimed at anyone but I'm really tired of seeing this SUBJECT here and on KLOV. Here's what I see.
A person sets a release date and fails multiple times. Daviea has admitted that.
Gets hammered on and eventually gives an update which this cycle happens several times and is still happening.
A "They're done and being shipped woohoo post" followed by a sickness period and then an "I'm alive" update joined with a "Waiting on the artwork" post.

Look guys I know David and think a lot of him but you guys with out a doubt have every right to be angry. But c'mon now guys, this stupid yoke isn't a life or death matter is it? If you're angry and tired of this drama then get your money back and be done with it. If you want/need the yoke then after 2+ years what's a few more weeks or months?
 it's really quite that simple. So much good has come from Daviea but yet the bad seems to always outweigh the good.  I'll arguably say that if it weren't for Daviea these would've never been made anyway.

Look, I'm cool with Dave having issues beyond his control. I've waited this long! However, he said he shipped my yoke in December. I don't have a yoke. Three requests for a tracking number ignored. Something's not right, but I'm willing to work with Dave to get it resolved. I realize we can all have issues, and he's doing this on spare time. This thread needs to be on the main page here and at Klov until he resolves this. The main issue now is not that he has not been able to complete the project, it's that he said he shipped it, but didn't, or it's lost in the mail; which I highly suspect is not the case. We can easily prove which scenario is the right one with a tracking number. However, Dave has not stepped forward with this information either publicly or privately.

Dave was on Klov four days ago. Not a peep from him, even though these threads are active. I also have not received a personal email response or PM here or at Klov. I think at this point, people that are considering ordering from him need to know what to expect from him before purchasing, as his website is still accepting new orders.

If you know him, why not talk to him and find out what's going on, or at least ask him to chime in and update the group?

Personally, I'm not angry and believe that Dave is going to come through, but I thoroughly believe he needs to be prodded every now and then since he has so much on his plate.

As far as you being tired of seeing this thread here and at Klov; too bad - it's here to stay until we can start gushing about how perfect the yoke is once we actually receive it.

[FrizzleFried]

Dave could put all the speculation to rest...

Post a picture of a ton of yokes ready to ship.  That's all it would take.

...oh...and actually SHIPPING them would help as well... 

[ratzz]

Dave could put all the speculation to rest...

Post a picture of a ton of yokes ready to ship.  That's all it would take.

...oh...and actually SHIPPING them would help as well... 

 

[FrizzleFried]

At long last, the yoke controllers are done and shipping!!

- Dave on December 27th, 2009

Has ANYONE gotten a yoke yet?  If not,  I look forward to the "Dave" defenders to come up with some good reasons why a product that was "done and shipping" on December 27th 2009 hasn't reached their destinations as of yet.   I'm sure once more free stuff is thrown about all will be A-OK... but seriously... when,  if not now,  is it less douchetastic for me (or others) to point out the painfully obvious without being attacked by the Dave apologists?

Now I will go duck behind something because I know I'll catch a ration of ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- for this post,  but I don't care.  A duck is a duck no matter how much cool stuff they've made in the past or promised for the future.  This is getting absolutely laughably sad frankly.

If anyone wants me,  I'm back in the bunker...

 

[saint]

At this point silence is damning. I have high hopes but would like to hear something.

[DashRendar]

I agree-

I think silence is worse than anything that Dave might post as an excuse.

People will understand if he got sick, had family or money problems, etc.  A month's worth of silence after the statement that they are shipping (with no results) is the worst possible thing Dave could do....

[ark_ader]

Life has a funny and sometimes a rather rude way of throwing obstacles in your path.

These yokes can all be boxed up ready for the shipping labels to be placed on them - sitting like quiet little soldiers.

The shipping day comes and nothing happens. 

This has happened to me twice.  One being my father's untimely death the other being involved in a horrible auto accident.

These things do happen all the time, and being such shocking events - go unexplained or unnoticed by friends and customers.

Yes I might like to have a bit of a laugh regarding these yokes, but I do really hope its something simple with Dave and not something terrible.

Just something to think about, because it can happen at any time.

Most of the time without any notice at all.  Just turn on the news channel....

[FrizzleFried]

Well... being he was on this forum on the 4th of January and KLOV as late as ... the 16th or 17th of January... well... Magic 8-Ball says "Not likely".

[z]

These have been delayed long enough I wonder if the day Ram Controls ships the first few yokes will be the same day that Ultimarc or Groovy Game Gear debut their composite based  model on the scene for significantly cheaper.  I realize the overall market volume may not be there to justify the development costs but I'm wondering if Andy or Randy have ever looked at these.

[ark_ader]

Well... being he was on this forum on the 4th of January and KLOV as late as ... the 16th or 17th of January... well... Magic 8-Ball says "Not likely".

Frizzle give it another shake as mine says: "Yes in due time."   

[TheShanMan]

Benefit of the doubt only lasts so long.

[RayB]

Surely someone here is local? Just go knock on his door.

[Hoopz]

Surely someone here is local? Just go knock on his door.

Isn't that what someone said about SlikStick also?  Hmmmm.....  Makes you wonder.

[TPB]

the yoke controllers are done and shipping!!

Havok, your controller is on it's way right now. Enjoy!!!!

Can these be anything other than lies, when there's no sign of Havok's controller a month later ?

After making his Christmas announcement, Dave's taken receipt of a load more cash for the yokes with a "KLOV special".  Only this time, people didn't send their cash for pre-orders.  They paid for yokes that are done and shipping ...

He takes orders for parts and then doesn't ship them. He tells people they shipped and weeks later nothing arrives. This alone makes me feel gullible I paid for a part that was to be shipped and now all I have is a payment sent reciept from paypal.

I fell for the KLOV yoke deal, looks like it should have been called the 'Dave joke deal'

[HaRuMaN]

He did the same deal over here around the same time, I wonder how many people PayPal'ed him because of that.

[Hoopz]

Harpal²

[DashRendar]

From the FAQ on his website:

Q:  How quickly will my order be processed?
A:  If you order through us and pay by credit card or paypal, your order will be processed same day or next business day.  Payment by check and money order may be delayed up to 7 days.  We ship everything through UPS Blue (2nd Day) or Red (Next Day), so no PO Boxes please.  Note:  On occasion, we may use UPS 3-day or Ground service for large orders.  You will be notified of this before we ship.  If you order through one of our vendors, please check with them on their order processing terms.

Q:  I ordered something from you, but I don't have it yet,  What should I do?
A:  Always contact us if there is an issue of any type.  Once you place an order, generally, you should have it within 3-4 business days at most.  If you do not receive an order within this timeframe, your first action should be to contact us immediately so we can determine the issue and resolve it.

I assume people have tried contacting him at the sales@ram-controls.com address about their orders not being shipped yet.

[HaRuMaN]

Maybe he can't get email on his Caribbean vacation...

I asked for a mai tai, and they brought me a pina colada, and I said no salt, NO salt for the margarita, but it had salt on it, big grains of salt

 

[Hoopz]

Maybe he can't get email on his Caribbean vacation...

I asked for a mai tai, and they brought me a pina colada, and I said no salt, NO salt for the margarita, but it had salt on it, big grains of salt

 

Screw Milton.  These guys at least had chicks with them:

Looking good, Billy Ray!
Feeling good, Louis!

[shardian]

A fellow at KLOV reported he had recently spoken to Dave via email and pointed out that he really needs to say something publicly. So he is fine, is communicating, and has decided not to respond I assume. I was sooo looking forward to the repro paperboy controller too...

Life has a funny and sometimes a rather rude way of throwing obstacles in your path.

These yokes can all be boxed up ready for the shipping labels to be placed on them - sitting like quiet little soldiers.

The shipping day comes and nothing happens. 

This has happened to me twice.  One being my father's untimely death the other being involved in a horrible auto accident.

These things do happen all the time, and being such shocking events - go unexplained or unnoticed by friends and customers.

Yes I might like to have a bit of a laugh regarding these yokes, but I do really hope its something simple with Dave and not something terrible.

Just something to think about, because it can happen at any time.

Most of the time without any notice at all.  Just turn on the news channel....

[RayB]

meh. Where's option to delete my post?

[saint]

meh. there's option to delete.

Huh?

[HaRuMaN]

meh. there's option to delete.

Huh?

RayB wants you to delete his account.

[RayB]

My POST! Delete my post, not my account.

nevermind...

[MameMaster!]

Man I really wanted to order one --- any updates? 

[Havok]

Nothing yet - supposedly Dave is having a tough time with his business not having power due to all the rain over there. Hopefully he just surprises everyone and ships the yokes. At least to me.

 

[FrizzleFried]

Well the man posted over at KLOV... BYOAC evidently gets no love.

Essentially he provided ZERO reasonable reason why Havok's yoke didn't make it out the door,  but whatever.

 

[Havok]

Dave's post on Klov:

Hey everyone,

It looks like this thread took on a life of it's own. I see that some people posted up my latest issues with real life taking a front seat, so I'll leave it at that. No need to cough up more excuses, right?

Anyhow, I've been spending a great deal of time this week going through the backlog of orders and getting parts out as fast as I can. People will start to see their orders showing up. I have to stress that I am still somewhat distracted by the situation with my "real" work, but it shouldn't be so much of a distraction that I can't get a lot of orders out the door the remainder of this week.

All I can do is apologize for the delay and lack of communication which I know is a serious problem. With that in mind, if you need/want to get in touch with me, please email me directly at sales@ram-controls.com.

Obviously, with the backlog of shipping I need to take care of, I will be spending little time online (especially on the forums) and more time dealing with the situation of getting orders out. Anyhone who absolutely needs to get in touch with me NOW, please EMAIL me.

So, to conclude, PLEASE accept my sincere apologies for the delays and lack of communication. If you EMAIL me at sales@ram-controls.com, I WILL get back to you.

Keep on gaming!!!

Dave

[RayB]

Interesting that the backlog includes the FIRST SHIPMENT EVER.
This is pure laziness. Real life or not. Sorry but when someone paid hundreds of dollars for something, THAT IS PART OF YOUR "REAL LIFE" buddy.

Pay someone minimum wage for half a day to pack up all the orders. Geez.
Get the wife or girlfriend to do it. Anybody.

[TPB]

The yoke will be a masterpiece, once it really does start shipping.  It'll be a thing of such beauty, that the focus shall turn to the brilliance of the yoke, and anyone who dared question Dave's methods shall be royally flamed.

Nonetheless ...

It's interesting to observe the similarities between Dave, and Andy from Ultimarc.

Both have a professional website to promote their gaming business.

Both run their gaming business for the love of it, as a hobby ... they do other work to help pay the bills :

You might be wondering why, having made these statements, Ultimarc continues to exist as even the I-PAC is a niche product selling at a low margin. Its not an easy ride, especially as we have competition who are even more price-focused than we are. (dry your eyes now hehe).
If I were to go on Dragons Den and present the I-PAC as a business, Peter Jones would just laugh when I state the margin and projected sales.

But fortunately thats only part of the story. Keeping overheads down to the bare minimum and also being involved in consultancy and design for other companies makes things viable.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=82460.0

Both have just released a new product.  With Andy, it's the AimTrak.

That's where the similarity ends.

Imagine if Andy said the AimTrak was done and shipping, then offered BYOAC and KLOV purchase specials, then takes receipt of a heap of order cash, and then disappears for a month, with nothing being shipped ?  Finally he reappears, and his best excuse for not shipping the AimTraks is real life taking a front seat ?

Would we ever see this from Andy ?  Maybe our lovable Brit is just one of a kind.

[RandyT]

These have been delayed long enough I wonder if the day Ram Controls ships the first few yokes will be the same day that Ultimarc or Groovy Game Gear debut their composite based  model on the scene for significantly cheaper.  I realize the overall market volume may not be there to justify the development costs but I'm wondering if Andy or Randy have ever looked at these.

Heh.  I already have a rough design in mind for something similar, but at this moment in time, I can't imagine finding the time to pursue it.  But it would be simpler, smaller and, in the long run, more reliable on the electronics side.  In appearance, however, not nearly as "authentic".

And far be it for me to speak for Dave, but it would not surprise me at all, even after all of the parts are in hand and sitting there in front of you, that these would take well over an hour each to assemble and test.  Considering the cost and quantity of the components, unless you have an assembly line of underpaid workers, it's going to be really difficult to make any money on these, once labor and all of the time already spent on the project are considered.  In the end, if one has a choice between doing something that brings money in the door (you know, for things like food, heat, electricity, etc.) or something that essentially is a break even proposition, that first thing is probably going to take precedent.  That may or may not be what's going on here, but it's a possibility.  I won't comment on taking cash on the project and not shipping after stating that he is.  He's going to have to defend that one, and whether he can to anyone's satisfaction will be between him and them.  Obviously, the parts are there.  Maybe now it's really hard to find the time to actually make the completed units and get them out the door.

RandyT

[ChadTower]

Of course, we all understand that, Randy.  It's the lies followed by silence that are the problem.  Nothing in your good faith example includes lying about shipments having been made.

[ratzz]

You know the bit that sticks in my throat:
Dave's post on Klov:

Keep on gaming!!!

Dave

[JMB]

At this point even if the pre-orders get filled I wouldn't be willing to place an order. What I have witnessed from the start of this whole process just doesn't give me any confidence to place an order. Do you think that things will be better the next time around? If SlikStik suddenly reappeared would you be buying from him as well?  The only reason people would even be willing to try is simply because he is offering something you can't get anywhere else currently. I'd rather live without than be a sucker.

I don't buy the whole "real life" excuse either. I'm single father with two kids under the age of 10. I know all about real life. Personally I don't care if Dave posts an explanation here or at KLOV. He doesn't owe me an explanation. He does owe one to people that have given him money though. How long would it have taken him to send an email to those people? Maybe I just don't get it because I'm the type of guy that does everything I can to ship a $5 ebay order the next day.

I'll continue to watch this train wreck with everyone else. I hope everyone gets what they paid for and they are phenomenal. At one point I probably would have been a potential customer.

[MameMaster!]

I have to say I'm really bummed about this. It does seem like he's really accomplished this-- -but yet nothing has shipped. I really don't get it.

Dave-- I have over $250 bucks with your name on it-- but I need to see these "pre orders" get filled already before I can in good conscience give you my hard earned cash.

This really is not cool-- your excuses are astounding and really disappointing. 

[JustMichael]

Is it just me or doesn't this sound like the whole Slikstick thing all over again?   

[FrizzleFried]

[Hoopz]

What's going to be out first: Duke Nukem Forever or Ram Controls yoke?

Biggest con artist at BYOAC:  Harpal, Christian, Foley, Daviea?

[MameMaster!]

Come on Dave--- Hook up Havok already!---we're dying to see these things in action! I think he's waited the longest! 

 

[TPB]

Come on Dave--- Hook up Havok already!

To have a little confidence there's a real product on offer here, we need to see at least TWO people hooked up with their yokes.  Havok and at least one other dude who's been waiting on their pre-order since early 2007.

Spot the difference between these two photos :






One word ... QUANTITY.

There's enough springs, nuts, bearings, gears, shafts, buttons, and switches to fill a dozen bargain basement bins.  But there's only ONE yoke.  Havok may be lucky enough to become its owner, perhaps the only yoke that ever gets assembled.

I'll tell you what though, if Dave pulls through and starts shipping the yokes in decent volumes, I'll keenly save up my cash to get my own.   

[Havok]

Hehe, sorry Dave, but I'm going to have a little fun with this one:

[KonkeyKong]

How about an Assemble-your-own kit?  All the parts, little lower price point?  Might be kinda fun...

[HaRuMaN]

How about an Assemble-your-own kit?  All the parts, little lower price point?  Might be kinda fun...

They'd still have to make their way to a mailbox... which seems to be an issue here.

[MameMaster!]

Dave...you're our only hope.....

[TheShanMan]

Havok, still not even so much as a tracking number?

[Havok]

Nothing yet; I'll shoot him an email at his sales address to see what's going on.

 

[RayB]

I don't keep up with Klov forums... Did you post in the Klov forum? You should.

[ark_ader]

It would be funny if someone came out of the woodwork and stopped Dave with a Cease & Desist for copyright violation.

Or are these yokes authorized reproductions?

[HaRuMaN]

.

[Havok]

It would be funny if someone came out of the woodwork and stopped Dave with a Cease & Desist for copyright violation.

Or are these yokes authorized reproductions?

What would really be funny is if you were the old lady...

[Donkey_Kong]

lol   

[ark_ader]

It would be funny if someone came out of the woodwork and stopped Dave with a Cease & Desist for copyright violation.

Or are these yokes authorized reproductions?

What would really be funny is if you were the old lady...

 

[FrizzleFried]

I'd rather someone else have produced these on the down low and then started actually SELLING them... but ya know... I'm an optimist.

[RayB]

Ark, you cannot copyright a physical mechanical device. That falls under patents, all expired. The only part copyrighted is the artwork overlay, and those came from the guy who made new prints using the actual original screens. I suppose its a grey area whether or not copyright transfers with an original work or not, but whatever...

[ChadTower]

IIRC owning the original materials gives you the right to reproduce it... but if there are third party rights involved in the material you still can't sell it.  Here it all depends on whether or not that piece of art has anything Star Wars on it.

[ark_ader]

Did I just give Dave an exit? 

[FrizzleFried]

[DashRendar]

Maybe I'm too trusting, but I hope there's a legitimate reason for Dave's disappearance and these yokes not being shipped. 

I really hate to see anyone being bullied- almost as much as I hate to see people swindle others out of their money.

 

Not saying that's necessarily it, but I do hope there's a valid excuse and people will get their yokes (or their money back). 

Dave has certainly mishandled this by posting only at that KLOV forums, and not here.  Hopefully he's replying to the email inquiries I'm sure he's getting.

[Breaker]

Havok - have you had a chance to email Dave?
Any response?

Breaker.

[Havok]

Sent an email right when he came back on Klov, and he responded. However, still no yoke and just sent another email Monday asking if it shipped yet and requested a tracking number, with no response yet. Once something changes, I'll post an update...

[HaRuMaN]

o/~ go on take the money and run...

Steve Miller Band - 1976
Dave with Ram Controls - 2009-2010

[DashRendar]

That's -smurftastic-!

 

[MameMaster!]

Sent an email right when he came back on Klov, and he responded. However, still no yoke and just sent another email Monday asking if it shipped yet and requested a tracking number, with no response yet. Once something changes, I'll post an update...

Really? This was kinda' funny at first-- but the reality is that it's so disappointing. I really believe that he has these parts and that he will produce these things eventually. It's just way too bizarre considering all of his posts and especially his photos he's posted of the parts for this to be part of a some stupid scam.

Hey Dave-- seriously what's the deal here? All want to do is give you money for your hard work......seriously!

So far it was a bad partner, bad weather, sickness, too much work, too much "real life".....help us understand. We really do want to support you. You're the only one willing to go as far as you have to create these repro parts to such exacting specifications.

 

[TheShanMan]

The thing I don't get is this: If "real life" is getting in the way that much, fine. But to not even get one unit shipped to Havoc sometime in the last month or so just to get this monkey off his back? And alternatively, to not post a pic of, say, a half dozen completed units? But instead to keep popping in here/klov every few weeks to say "this time I'm really going to start shipping yet Havoc never gets a tracking #? Ridiculous. At least give people a plausible, concrete explanation of what's going on, rather than yanking people's chains.

Cmon, Dave. Even your most ardent supporters are losing faith here.

[Level42]

I really believe that he has these parts...

There's no need to believe it, I've got a complete set of parts right here waiting for my SW yoke parts to come back from the powder coater.
These parts, plus the SW cockpit wide T-molding, created with the original mold, are the BEST things to happen for me in this hobby so far.

I thank David for that. I'm just sad he didn't take my advice. Keep shut about everything, and then simply start delivering. The receivers would have done the work for him on the forums. But then in a positive way.

[CheffoJeffo]

I don't have the first clue why Dave hasn't shipped a yoke yet, BUT I believe that he will.

I'm the first to pull out the RealLife(tm) card for vendors, but I've got nothing here.

I don't believe for a second that Dave is scamming anybody, but am at a total loss to explain what has happened since the "it's done and shipping" notifications.

Whatever the problem is, I hope it works out in short order for all parties.

[FrizzleFried]

By the way... dude has enough time to photoshop the following image but not enough time to ship a single yoke?

Hmmm...



PS: I am just having some fun now... this ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- is getting so absurd that I just can't help myself.   

[JMB]

http://arcadecontrols.com/hosted/yoke/

Let's see if someone can build one before the others get shipped.

[MameMaster!]

I forgot about that one-- that was pretty damn clever. 

[Xiaou2]

 Kinda Burns me a little, is that page saying Civic and TigerHeli made their yokes
first... and that Civic was first to use the green gears.

 As far as I know, I was the first to make a working SW yoke years before anyone
else besides the guy who had a machine shop... and incorrectly used optics rather
than gearing and pots. His was also all metal as far as I recall... and may have used
the original SW handlegrips - severely simplifying the process.

 I believe I was also the first person (again by Years) who found, made mountings,
& installed the green gears on my yoke and custom Super-hangon controllers.

 I found the gears shortly after I built the SW yoke, and made them for my
Super Hangon controller... and then replaced the failed SW zip-cord gear hack
almost immediately after.

 The pics have been up on my site for ages.

 But I get  "Tips"     Ehh....

 
 Still, Im happy that others have attempted and succeeded using simular
tactics.
    
---

 Friday, June 2nd 2000 - I was announced on Retrogames.com
 http://www.retrogames.com/062000.html

 Of course, at that time I Think only the Y-Axis was tested as the x was yet
to be mounted.  I think it was a year later that I had the new mount design
built, and I found the proper gears.  I play tested the thing on a temp-holder,
and it was Awesome   Then I built the Shangon controller.

 Both used the same rear parts...  But I didnt replace the SW y-axis for another
6? months cause I knew it would be a pain to redo it.   After it was done,
I didnt change the pictures of it on the site.  Was too lazy to snap them until I was
asked enough times, over a year later,  ...which I believe was 2003.


The site is a huge old mess:

http://xiaou2.homestead.com/arcade.html

 But it can at least still inspire, and or give way to some laughs / insults.    heh

Edit#2:

 http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=89243.0

 Shows the Internal changes with proper gears, as well as much
better photos.

[FrizzleFried]

It says quite a lot when brother "X" chimes in to this thread and DOES NOT "defend" Dave... 

...and I agree... "X" did the home-grown yoke first from what I can see...

[MameMaster!]

Havok-- any updates? 

[FrizzleFried]

Lessee... as of 1 week ago he knew of the thread on KLOV... I mean,  I'm SURE brother Havok has taken delivery of his yoke by TODAY,  right?  I mean,  there's no way on Gods green earth Dave didn't ship that bad boy the very next day... and,  uh,  there's been no Holiday... no natural disaster in Cali... no other reason I can think of as to why that first yoke couldn't ship... right?   

[HaRuMaN]

Maybe he'll get a y-y-y-yoke in the mail...

(for those who don't get the joke, google p-p-p-powerbook)

[ChadTower]

I can't believe after all this time nobody has ever just driven over to his business to find him.  Someone has to be local.

[HaRuMaN]

 

[SirPeale]

I never posted this story before, but since this has been happening I'll share it.

A couple years ago (I think it's been that long, I'd have to check the PMs to be sure) Dave posted a B/S/T ad to get rid of a bunch of classic board.  I forget what they were, but he stated he was sick of having them around and wanted to get rid of them.

I threw him an amount - it was pretty low, actually, but I was surprised when he accepted.

He said he didn't want the money right then, but was happy to send the boards out right away.  He said he trusted me to pay.

I was going to be away for a couple days and told him to hold off on it, and he said it was too late.

I actually got back in time to accept the shipment...and...nothing.  Waited, waited...finally sent him a message and he replied right back that the package had come back that there was no one there to accept.

Now...every package shipper I've ever dealt with either leaves a notice on the door, or makes more than one attempt.  All I have is his word that this is what happened.

I never said anything about it because...well, hey, it's possible, though improbable.  But with this silence...

Am I out any money?  No, of course not.  But he's said before that things have been shipped, with no package to be seen.

[ratzz]

This is even more interesting ...

A while ago I looked up whois details for ram-controls.com and as usual it gave full details of his business address etc., I wish I'd made a note of it now, because the whois data has now been removed:

Domain ID:
Domain Name: ram-controls.com
Created On: 21-Jun-2006 00:00:00
Expiration Date: 21-Jun-2010 00:00:00
Sponsoring Registrar: 'Check Whois' (NSI) (NSI)
Status: client_transfer_prohibited
Name Server: yns1.yahoo.com
Name Server: yns2.yahoo.com
Registrant ID: Unknown
Registrant Name: Unknown
Registrant Organization: Unknown
Registrant Street1: Unknown
Registrant Street2: Unknown
Registrant Street3: Unknown
Registrant City: Unknown
Registrant State/Province: Unknown
Registrant Postal Code: Unknown
Registrant Country: Unknown
Registrant Phone: Unknown
Registrant Fax: Unknown
Registrant Email: Unknown
Admin ID: Unknown
Admin Name: Unknown
Admin Organization: Unknown
Admin Street1: Unknown
Admin Street2: Unknown
Admin Street3: Unknown
Admin City: Unknown
Admin State: Unknown
Admin Postal Code: Unknown
Admin Country: Unknown
Admin Phone: Unknown
Admin Fax: Unknown
Admin Email: Unknown

This means that it has manually been blanked out by the administrator of the domain name -- 9 time out of 10 the owner.

I even looked up his warehouse on GoogleMaps to see if the building on the home page was his (it isn't)...

The plot thickens!

Removed link ...

[Neverending Project]

Here's another "Dave Shipping Story" to share..

Dave and I made a deal to trade some non-working PCBs that I had for some awesome parts that he had. We agreed to the deal. I'll skip to the end and say that we both got our stuff, and I was happy in the end. It went something like this (I'll try to summarize with dates):

All the following are PMs (on KLOV) back and forth.

Between 8/24/09 and 8/26/09
Me: Wanna trade this for that?
D: Sure.
Me: Is this your correct address? I have mine boxed up.
D: Yes. Is this what you wanted <pastes list>? Sounds good.
Me: Great. Boards shipped.

I shipped them vis USPS with delivery confirmation.

Dum de dum....

9/2/09
Me: Did you receive the boards yet? Confirmation says they were delivered.
D: Haven't seen them. Did I ship you your stuff? I can't remember.
Me: Uh oh. Here is the tracking info. I haven't received anything yet.
D: We sometimes have problems with USPS and FedEx. I'll check into it. No sweat, you'll still get your stuff from me.

9/13/09
Me: I was out of town. Did you ever find the boards from me? Did you ship my parts?

9/15/09
Me: Did you get my last PM? Should I e-mail or PM you?

9/16/09
Me: Are you getting my messages?
D: Sorry, was busy. I sent the parts a while ago. Checking into it. Sorry.

9/18/09
Me: No worries. I should check with the USPS and find out where they delivered my boards since you never got them.
D: I did get your package. I sent your stuff a while ago, and it appears to be missing. I don't have any notes since there was no money exchanged. Can you send me the list of stuff again so I can ship again?

9/19/09
Me: OK. here ya go. <pastes list>

9/24/09
Me: It's been another week and still nothing. Any word?

Switch to e-mail
10/8/09
Me: Can you reply to this to let me know you're getting my messages? One word reply is fine.
D: What's this about?
Me: Our trade back in August.
D: Send me the list you wanted. I will fix the situation immediately.
Me: <copies and pastes list again>

10/14/09
Me: Got package. Phew. But one of the parts was out of stock.

11/4/09
Me: Still waiting on that part. Any word?

11/12/09
Me: Checking in. Part?
D: Already on the way. Should be there tomorrow.

11/13/09
Part arrived Next Day UPS.
D: Did it show?
Me: Yes. Thankyouverymuch.

The dude's full of excuses.

[FrizzleFried]

Edit: This may help though: http://www.manta.com/coms2/dnbcompany_c3tl2g

Not the same company.  I actually have done advertising work for these folks...

[Havok]

Havok-- any updates? 

Nothing yet - no email, no package.

 

[ratzz]

Edit: This may help though:

Not the same company.  I actually have done advertising work for these folks...

Ok buddy, remove the link from my post as to not confuse ...

[TheShanMan]

NP, I know what one of the topics of conversation will be at Jordan's arcade party!

[mytymaus007]

 

[TPB]

Dave started this thread.  Not Frizzle or somebody else. He started it for the sole purpose of saying the yokes were "done and shipping", and that Havok's yoke was "on its way".

He then offered BYOAC and KLOV purchase specials.  Six weeks later, and not a single yoke has been sent.  Why did he start this thread, when he had no intention of honouring his word and shipping immediately ?

Three words sum up the only logical explanation : CASH FLOW PROBLEM.    

Dave might be having financial difficulties - perhaps that's what he meant by "real life".

At $225 per yoke for the BYOAC and KLOV specials, he only needed to drum up 23 orders to get over $5K of the green stuff in his pocket.  The cash he's received from this scheme he's devised, has hopefully fixed up his finances.

There should be a happy ending.  Everyone should eventually receive their yokes.  At the very least, Havok will get his one, as Dave's provided a photo of ONE assembled yoke and it's got Havok's name on it.

It would be funny if someone came out of the woodwork and stopped Dave with a Cease & Desist ...

That would be PayPal.  But the reason would have nothing to do with copyright.

[FrizzleFried]

Three words sum up the only logical explanation : CASH FLOW PROBLEM.    :'(

DING! DING! DING! DING! DING!!!!!

[HaRuMaN]

Havok will get his yoke after this happens:

[shardian]

I'm amazed to hear how much of a problem Dave has with shipping, especially if he runs a business. My company does ALOT of business with USPS and UPS. Both companies pretty much kiss our ass to keep that cash a-flowing.

I've gotten 2 shipments from Dave, and both had issues.

One got lost in the shuffle apparently, and he got it out to me immediately once I brought it to his attention. I can't remember if the 'lost in the mail' was used.

The next definitely had the 'lost in the mail' excuse, but a 'replacement' was shipped out immediately once I brought it to his attention.

Basically, there is no way that many of his shipments get lost. Obviously Dave's issues makes my procrastination and unorganized issues look like child's play. Even more, I would expect a guy who runs a business such as his Real Life (TM) job to have MUCH better organizational skills.


Final message to Dave:
#1 Paypal offers built in shipment management.
#2 you can have said automatically organized shipments picked up from your business.
#3 have one of your employees handle your shipping.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, even Noice hires an employee to take care of menial tasks AND gets his orders taken care of promptly!!!

[ChadTower]

I have had shipments from Dave get lost in the mail and had a shipment to Dave get lost in the mail.  Oddly, the one to Dave that got lost was a check.  I can't think of a single reason to fake never receiving a check considering the action he suggested was to cancel the first and send a second.

[DashRendar]

I'm not in the KLOV community but...are people saying similar things over there?

Just curious how big this problem is...

[shardian]

I would think that one is obvious - he could have lost your check and rather than admit it, just fall back on the fail safe "must have gotten lost in the mail" excuse. I see that one all the time around my wife's Birthday from her dad. "Sorry sweetie, that damn mailman must have stolen the birthday money I sent you..."

I have had shipments from Dave get lost in the mail and had a shipment to Dave get lost in the mail.  Oddly, the one to Dave that got lost was a check.  I can't think of a single reason to fake never receiving a check considering the action he suggested was to cancel the first and send a second.

[ChadTower]

I would think that one is obvious - he could have lost your check and rather than admit it, just fall back on the fail safe "must have gotten lost in the mail" excuse. I see that one all the time around my wife's Birthday from her dad. "Sorry sweetie, that damn mailman must have stolen the birthday money I sent you..."

True, but it was a ten dollar check.  If he were that embarrassed it would have been better to just say he got it.

[Hoopz]

If this was a scam, which I don't believe it is, he would have never had the issues early with shipping on small items.  He would have built up good will, rapport, and positive feedback here and at KLOV.  Then, when he wants to run the scam, he brings out the big ticket item and rapes everyone.

He's just an idiot and liar now.  He may still be a thief but I'm not sure that it's intentional. 

[shardian]

He's just an idiot and liar now.  He may still be a thief but I'm not sure that it's intentional. 

All would be forgiven with some simple action, and an apology.

[ratzz]

LOL!

A while ago (a long while ago!), I advised people who were pre-ordering and waiting for the “inconsistencies in the powder coating process” (remember that old chestnut), and I quote ...

October 27, 2007 - Ratzz

“Sorry ... sounds like more hot air to me.

Noone should order until they have problems sorted. why should you fund these delays?

BAD excuses ...

RUN ... RUN AS FAS AS YOU CAN ...”

These are my exact words ... and I took flak for it. From Saint (who eventually closed the thread as not to tarnish David’s rep any more – nice freedom of speech, buddy!), and other members of this community. In fact Saint replied with

“I'm seriously thinking of putting in a pre-order    David, you still accepting those?” – You’ve got yours I take it Saint?

I was so pissed off with Saints stance on this that I took a break from the forum. It seemed that the “Master CPU” was siding with the enemy, and not the community, and I only checked in infrequently to the forum – it left a bad taste. I don’t check in with Saint any more, I catch up with the community.

Anyway, not to worry, as on the thread Dave said:

“Rattz.  It seems to me that you're trolling for a fight.  Not going to happen with me, buddy.  Hot air.  Scam.  LOL  Let's just agree to disagree and leave it there.”

Havok:

“Ratzz,

He is a vendor, like he says: he has delivered on other arcade related parts. In fact a number of members here have dealt with him in the past. I'm one of the pre-orders, (lol - the dirty dozen!) and I personally am sticking this one out - the return is worth the wait.

David - since you have the equipment now and are just waiting on the hookups before proceeding, what kind of time frame do you expect once you are fully operational?”

Anyway, there is plenty more to this “saga” at: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=64536.0

[TPB]

If this was a scam, which I don't believe it is,

No, I don't believe it's a scam either.  It's a scheme, not a scam.

If the yokes arrive eventually, as they probably will, then the "end result" is not a scam.

But this sure appears as a scheme he devised to get himself through a cash flow problem.  He would justify his actions to himself as a means to an end, thinking that if people want him to finish the yokes, then he needs their cash to help him through his (hopefully temporary) money issues.

If anyone has another plausible explanation for Dave creating this thread and making these comments, I'd like to hear it :

the yoke controllers are done and shipping!!

Havok, your controller is on it's way right now. Enjoy!!!!

... This can't be explained by saying he's too busy or disorganised.  To have not shipped a solitary yoke in all that time, not even Havok's yoke which he said was "on its way right now".

[saint]

From Saint (who eventually closed the thread as not to tarnish David’s rep any more – nice freedom of speech, buddy!), and other members of this community. In fact Saint replied with

“I'm seriously thinking of putting in a pre-order    David, you still accepting those?” – You’ve got yours I take it Saint?

Anyone who questions why I closed the thread should read the last two pages of the thread. It never ceases to boggle me that anytime I shut down a thread that's getting out of hand, someone with an axe to grind accuses me of censorship. If I was trying to protect someone's reputation then leaving the thread there for everyone to see was a pretty stupid way to do so. I don't do operate like that. I bend over backwards to run this forum in an as open and fair a way as I can, only stepping in when threads jump the shark. When a thread degenerates into fighting, flaming, and name calling I put an end to it. I think that's resulted in a pretty good forum. Visit other forums where they don't if that's more your cup of tea, "buddy."

I was so pissed off with Saints stance on this that I took a break from the forum. It seemed that the “Master CPU” was siding with the enemy, and not the community, and I only checked in infrequently to the forum – it left a bad taste. I don’t check in with Saint any more, I catch up with the community.

Running this forum does not preclude me from having and stating my own opinions. I'm entitled to have them, and if I feel strongly enough about them I'll state them -- or would you have me censor myself? Screw that. People are welcome to agree or disagree, and disregard my opinions as much as anyone elses. It is arrogant presumption to tell me I'm not entitled to have an opinion just because I run the forum. Getting pissed off because I dared to speak my mind?   

I'd have bet on this horse and if I had had the money I would have pre-ordered. It looks like that would have been a poor choice. If I had a pre-order in, I would write Dave and demand my product be shipped with proof of shipping, or a refund issued within a couple of days, or I would exercise whatever options I had to get my money back.

My personal opinion (note the word personal, thanks) is that Shardian is probably closest to the mark and this is a business venture going (gone?) south, not an attempt at scamming. I still have hopes but little confidence. The acid test will be if/when people start asking for refunds and if they receive them.

--- saint

[ark_ader]

If anyone has another plausible explanation for Dave creating this thread and making these comments, I'd like to hear it :

I have done business with Dave before and he has come though with the goods.

Saint is right and the people out there getting all excited over this is not helping.

Sounding off against Saint is very unfair. 

I hate to see it, just send our host a PM and discuss it like a gentleman. 

Something has gone wrong with Dave's shipping or building process and I'm sure it is temporary.

We should all know by now that delays do happen in the gaming industry, especially if you cannot devote 100% of time to it.

An Explanation?   Well if this product was software it would remind me of...

[CheffoJeffo]

Sounding off against Saint is very unfair. 

+1

What kind of dooshbag walks into somebody's house and tries to kick them in balls ?

Perhaps it is time for ratzz to take another break.

[Havok]

What kind of dooshbag walks into somebody's house and tries to kick them in balls ?

Saint can take it - here's the proof!



Look at Saint's face - he doesn't even flinch!

[TPB]

Ratzz,

There was no need to steer this thread (which Dave created) in that direction.  I reckon an apology to Saint's in order.

Saint's impartially is demonstrated by the fact that he didn't edit or delete your post, despite your rude sentiment towards him.  Saint was entitled to lend support to his friend Dave in 2007.  But roll forward to 2010 and even Saint's patience is fraying, as he expressed earlier in this thread :

At this point silence is damning. I have high hopes but would like to hear something.

Saint,

I agree with your reading of the situation, which is consistent with my own.  Let's face it, a "business venture going (gone?) south" is one with a cash flow problem :

My personal opinion (note the word personal, thanks) is that Shardian is probably closest to the mark and this is a business venture going (gone?) south, not an attempt at scamming. I still have hopes but little confidence.

... and I agree, it's not a scam, as people will probably end up receiving their yokes.  It's not a scam, but a scheme to help him sort out his money issues.


Rattz and Saint, you guys need to share one of these - and Ratzz, it's your shout :   

[Zakk]

What's the deal with that cheffo guy?

[MameMaster!]

Personally I think that Zakk is just plain mean! 

[Havok]

What's the deal with that cheffo guy?

Well he's a grumpy old man, of course!

 

[Deadly]

Out of all the people flaming on here - how many have actually ordered one? If you haven't then who the hell cares if Dave gets the yokes out? Seriously - someone please explain what entitles you to start flaming someone? Technically this whole thread goes against the rules. A bunch of childish BS over a stupid yoke? The fate of the world depends on the release of this yoke? C'mon and grow up. From this thread or KLOV not one person has said they asked Dave for a refund and didn't get it. Look - why don;t we leave this thread to the people whom have pre-paid. That's be what ... 2 or 3 people? Surely they and they alone are entitled to discuss their concerns.
Havok - you've been a "Saint" (no punn intended) about all of this.

David Adams you need to nut up.

[WareWolF]

From this thread or KLOV not one person has said they asked Dave for a refund and didn't get it.

I asked for a refund and did not get it (or any response).

Face it the dude and our money are gone. 

[polaris]

From this thread or KLOV not one person has said they asked Dave for a refund and didn't get it.

I asked for a refund and did not get it (or any response).

 

when did you contact him?

[RayB]

It seemed that the “Master CPU” was siding with the enemy...

  Master CPU 

[Hoopz]

Out of all the people flaming on here - how many have actually ordered one? If you haven't then who the hell cares if Dave gets the yokes out? Seriously - someone please explain what entitles you to start flaming someone? Technically this whole thread goes against the rules. A bunch of childish BS over a stupid yoke? The fate of the world depends on the release of this yoke? C'mon and grow up. From this thread or KLOV not one person has said they asked Dave for a refund and didn't get it. Look - why don;t we leave this thread to the people whom have pre-paid. That's be what ... 2 or 3 people? Surely they and they alone are entitled to discuss their concerns.
Havok - you've been a "Saint" (no punn intended) about all of this.

David Adams you need to nut up.

Guess who started this thread that goes against the rules?  The liar and thief.  What's got your panties in a twist about it?  As was said before when you were whining about having to read it here and at KLOV, if you don't like it, don't read it.  People have a right to ask and a right to complain.  Or do you think you have a right to tell people what they should think and right? 

Troll.

And you owe WareWolF an apology.  And his money back too. 

[FrizzleFried]

 

...love ya Deadly...

 

[smalltownguy]

That's quite possibly the funniest smiley I've ever seen. I'm SO stealing it.

[ratzz]

Ratzz,

There was no need to steer this thread (which Dave created) in that direction.  I reckon an apology to Saint's in order.

Saint's impartially is demonstrated by the fact that he didn't edit or delete your post, despite your rude sentiment towards him.  Saint was entitled to lend support to his friend Dave in 2007.  But roll forward to 2010 and even Saint's patience is fraying, as he expressed earlier in this thread :

At this point silence is damning. I have high hopes but would like to hear something.

Saint,

I agree with your reading of the situation, which is consistent with my own.  Let's face it, a "business venture going (gone?) south" is one with a cash flow problem :

My personal opinion (note the word personal, thanks) is that Shardian is probably closest to the mark and this is a business venture going (gone?) south, not an attempt at scamming. I still have hopes but little confidence.

... and I agree, it's not a scam, as people will probably end up receiving their yokes.  It's not a scam, but a scheme to help him sort out his money issues.


Rattz and Saint, you guys need to share one of these - and Ratzz, it's your shout :   

Apologise for what exactly?

I voiced my opinion (correctly as it turns out in 2007).

Apparently, as long as Saint is right, and I “don’t kick him in the balls in his house”, then I should be ok to voice my opinion – well so long as I agree to Saints stance.

So I can’t disagree with anything Saint says? Why?

FYI, I sent a personal message to Saint about this issue last time it rose it’s ugly head, and I heard nothing back. I eluded to the fact that Saint thought Dave was a great guy and all the free $0.0001 stuff he gives away, does not makes him so.

Why is Saint such a Saint? On the home page of BYOAC there is one of those animated .gifs that says: “STOP INTERNET SENSORSHIP ... FREE SPEECH ONLINE ... BLUE RIBBON CAMPAIGN ...” – I asked him what that meant and he didn’t reply - but he was also wrong to back David and for maybe some of you to send your money to him.

And, PCB, FYI this is what you wrote to ME on the thread:
“Hi Simon,

Whilst I agree with you, don't waste your time ...

Suckers will never learn.

You'll only end up being the wrath of their vengeance.

They'll always be David's disciples (hey, 12 disciples, dozey dozen, uncanny coincidence ?).

Your attempts to drum "common sense" into them, will simply fall on deaf and confrontational ears.

Cheers,
TPB.”

To use one of Saint’s expressions ... My mind “boggles”!?!?!?

I was right about the Ram-Controls SW Yolk going tits-up and could see it coming, and so were others including FrizzleFried – what was unbelievable was how many of you didn’t.

I can certainly live without this forum. I know nobody personally, but have on occasion felt close to people who have guided me and helped me out and some who have not but I’ve appreciated their comments non-the-less.

Anyways, taking a break again may be a great idea – crack on guys.

[CheffoJeffo]

Apparently, as long as Saint is right, and I “don’t kick him in the balls in his house”, then I should be ok to voice my opinion – well so long as I agree to Saints stance.

So I can’t disagree with anything Saint says? Why?

It has nothing to do with disagreeing with saint's opinion on the subject at hand -- it has to do with you attacking his integrity regarding how he moderates.

One is your exercising freedom of speech, the other is being a dooshbag.

 

[CheffoJeffo]

Somewhat on topic, late last year I submitted a preorder & deposit for Exidy 440 Multikits from Dave Widel and Mike Doyle. The progress has been well communicated via their project blog, in a thread over on KLOV and via direct email. I sent the outstanding balance on Wednesday night and they started shipping the kits (with tracking numbers) this morning.

They have done an amazing job keeping people informed and got this out faster than I would have thought possible.

An excellent example of success in a coin-op project.

 

[FrizzleFried]

While I disagree with Saints stance in regards to this situation... I certainly respect the man and have never once given him crap for his point of view.

 

PS: I,  personally,  have never seen Saint "censor" anyone in regards to their opinion as long as that person wasn't being a --cream-filled twinkie-- in one way or another...

[ark_ader]

Yeah look at the thread regarding the MAME and illegal commercial use.

I do not see a locked thread or any moderator threatening me to keep quiet.

I know where to draw the line and I am quite capable of crossing it.   

I would never take any issue and be publicly negative with Saint.  Never will.

It would be very easy for a deviant to derail this thread, and send it to Post Hell.

I hope Ratzz understands this and tries to be civil in the future.

[TPB]

Ratzz,

You're getting yourself really worked up about a gaming forum.  Settle down, it's not a life or death matter.

What's the point you're trying to make here ?  It sounds like you're trying to rub Saint and the pre-orderer's nose in your ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- whilst "giving them the finger" and taunting them with "na na na, I told you so !!".

Does it make you feel good to act this way ?




Apparently private conversation with you, is never guaranteed to be private.  I can't beieve you've been hoarding PM's from way back in 2007, waiting for your chance to "publish them" at a later date.  Congratulations mate, you're a real backstabber.  Thanks for revealing your true nature for all to see.

But That's OK, I'm happy to discuss.

Unlike yourself, I like to learn from my mistakes.

I was rude and discourteous towards the pre-orderer's at the time.  That was wrong, I'm sorry for that, I apologise to the pre-order folks, my attitude was out of line.

They took a risky decision to leave their money in Dave's bank account for all these years.  That's a decision I wouldn't have made myself.  But that's been THEIR decision, which as grown adults they're entitled to make.  Who are you, or me, or Frizz, or anyone else to tell them otherwise ?

Saint was CORRECT in his assertion back then, that anyone who wanted their money back from Dave, was free to ask him for a refund.  Back in 2007, Dave was still honouring any refunds that were asked of him.  To my recollection, Mamemaster was a pre-orderer who gave up on Dave, he asked for a refund and to Dave's credit HE GOT HIS REFUND.

Regardless of the current situation involving the non-delivery of the yokes, Saint is dead set right in saying that no-one can truly take issue with Dave until such a time as he stops issuing refunds ... and this is yet to happen (notwithstanding WareWolF's unsubstantiated claim above) :

The acid test will be if/when people start asking for refunds and if they receive them.

[Gatt]

Out of all the people flaming on here - how many have actually ordered one? If you haven't then who the hell cares if Dave gets the yokes out? Seriously - someone please explain what entitles you to start flaming someone? Technically this whole thread goes against the rules. A bunch of childish BS over a stupid yoke? The fate of the world depends on the release of this yoke? C'mon and grow up. From this thread or KLOV not one person has said they asked Dave for a refund and didn't get it. Look - why don;t we leave this thread to the people whom have pre-paid. That's be what ... 2 or 3 people? Surely they and they alone are entitled to discuss their concerns.
Havok - you've been a "Saint" (no punn intended) about all of this.

David Adams you need to nut up.

Guess who started this thread that goes against the rules?  The liar and thief.  What's got your panties in a twist about it?  As was said before when you were whining about having to read it here and at KLOV, if you don't like it, don't read it.  People have a right to ask and a right to complain.  Or do you think you have a right to tell people what they should think and right? 

Troll.

And you owe WareWolF an apology.  And his money back too. 

First,  let me say that people do have a right to be upset,  we're waiting on information that hasn't been coming.  I gave him my $300 too,  and I'm a little concerned.

That said,  I feel you're going a little overboard calling him a liar and a thief.  This is a niche hobby,  and something like these yokes are a major undertaking.  While he has not yet produced,  or communicated,  given that the hobby is so technically involved,  IMO it's best to err on the side of leniency.  I mean,  the guy has demonstrated in the past that he's able to produce difficult parts,  is it likely that he concocted a scheme to take mney,  knowing it'd take little effort to file charges?  I think he's probably just a shade ashamed that he hasn't been able to get things done in the time frame he thought he would,  and is staying out of sight until he gets it toghether.

[FrizzleFried]

Well,  I personally am not ready to call the man a thief...

...however how can anyone explain these quotes...

Quote from: Daviea on December 27, 2009, 09:32:43 PM

the yoke controllers are done and shipping!!


Quote from: Daviea - KLOV forum - December 31, 2009, 12:13 PM

Havok, your controller is on it's way right now. Enjoy!!!!

...as anything other than a falsehood?  It seems the yokes are likely not done and they certainly aren't shipping... and if Havok's controll was on it's way 'right now' the man would have received it within a week or two at most.  We're now a full 5 weeks along from that quote.   So if those two statements (among countless other statements the man has made over these 3 years in regards to this project) aren't 'lies'... can someone please tell me exactly what a 'lie' is?

[TPB]

I feel you're going a little overboard calling him a liar and a thief.

Well,  I personally am not ready to call the man a thief...

Frizz, that's very eloquent.  In replying to Gatt, you've nicely stated the obvious, by way of omission.    

Let's face it, Dave has lied.  His intention was probably to drum up extra orders, to get cash flowing into his bank account, to see him through a cash flow problem.

Here's another doozy to add to those that Frizzle has highlighted above ...

Ordering is now OPEN.

... the folks who took up the BYOAC and KLOV specials after reading that, didn't think they were "pre-ordering".  They thought they were ordering a stocked and shipping product that would arrive on their doorstep within a matter of days.  That's a real case of deception.

That being said, Dave's not a thief.  To his credit, he's honoured all refund requests in the past, including the refund he gave to Mamemaster.

A thief would be someone who refuses to honour refunds once requested.  That's not the case here.

[Havok]

From this thread or KLOV not one person has said they asked Dave for a refund and didn't get it.

I asked for a refund and did not get it (or any response).

Face it the dude and our money are gone. 

FYI - this was also posted on Klov:

Quite frankly, I am tired of hearing all the bashing in this forum about this and that. This is supposed to be fun. When you start pissing in everyone's cereal it really leaves a bad taste in their mouths. Ask Dave for a refund and shut up. If he doesn't provide you one, send me the friggin bill and I'll give you your money. Then you have to shut the F up. Plain and simple. You ar prohibited from ever ordering anything from Ram controls ever again. Me personally, I can wait another 5 years for a Lunar Lander control panel. It took me 8 years to find a good cabinet. What does it matter in the grand scheme of things? If you are so hard up for cash, then you shouldn't have spent the money in the first place.

I'm pissed. Fire away. I don't give a rats ass what most of you cry babies think anymore. If you don't want to do business with me, FINE, all the better. Anyone that still thinks this is a fun hobby and appreciates all the hard work others are doing are more than welcome to order from me. For that matter, anyting I have listed for sale will automatically qualify for an automatic 10% discount if you include the statement" I love this hobby and haven't bitched about anytihng on KLOV in over 30 days" I don't care if it is in person, on eBay or thru the forums.

Send all copies of bills you have from Ram Controls requesting refunds to this e-mail address:

patdanis@verizon.net, or via snail mail to

Pat Danis
3416 Augusta Drive
Flower Mound, TX 75028

You must then follow up with an e-mail to Dave telling him that you have transferred your order to me and will not be purchasing anything else from him in the future.

What personal interest do I have in Dave's business? I donated some obscure parts and artwork for reproduction to help others in the hobby and have purchased reproduction parts from him. I don't make a friggin cent off anything he sells. I will gladly take whatever he makes and ships and either use it or trade it for something else. Anybody see what the last partial Star Wars yoke sold for on eBay?

That's it for now. I'm going to go mail some parts and work on something.
__________________
Pat Danis

So you might not be out your money...

[mytymaus007]

  Where's my Yoke!

[Gatt]

I feel you're going a little overboard calling him a liar and a thief.

Well,  I personally am not ready to call the man a thief...

Frizz, that's very eloquent.  In replying to Gatt, you've nicely stated the obvious, by way of omission.    

Let's face it, Dave has lied.  His intention was probably to drum up extra orders, to get cash flowing into his bank account, to see him through a cash flow problem.

Here's another doozy to add to those that Frizzle has highlighted above ...

Ordering is now OPEN.

... the folks who took up the BYOAC and KLOV specials after reading that, didn't think they were "pre-ordering".  They thought they were ordering a stocked and shipping product that would arrive on their doorstep within a matter of days.  That's a real case of deception.

That being said, Dave's not a thief.  To his credit, he's honoured all refund requests in the past, including the refund he gave to Mamemaster.

A thief would be someone who refuses to honour refunds once requested.  That's not the case here.

Ok,  then if you'll permit me to restate?  

I ordered two repro atari joysticks from legacy engineering,  and it took me 6 months to receive them.  Did we call them liars and thieves too?  IIRC,  more than a few people here were in the same boat as I was.  

Look,  all I'm saying is that I feel it's a bit harsh,  especially the thief part.  I don't have a very good position to take on the lieing part,  but as far as thief goes,  I've seen this before...

[mytymaus007]

Hey DAve

[MameMaster!]

Actually I was one of the first to order one--- and waited for about 8/10 months I think before I requested the refund, but I did get it.

I am fully prepared to actually buy one of these and his USB adapter---  but come on guys, this behavior doesn't bother those of you that is currently defending Dave? It's really not cool to take the $$ and then not respond to anyone on this matter.

This is not about taking time to create a product--- it's about literally saying the product has shipped and then not shipping it. It's really that simple.

The silence is troubling at best, disresprectful to those who laid out a lot of money in a ---smurfy--- economy at its worst though.

Dave-- we're still waiting what's the story? Don't you realize on any level this isn't right to not respond to even Havok?--- he's been your biggest supporter from day 1.

I really do want to get one of these from you.Can't you clue us in?

[TPB]

I was the first to make a working SW yoke years before anyone else ... I believe I was also the first person (again by Years) who found, made mountings, & installed the green gears on my yoke

Hi Xiaou,

Any chance of you making & selling your own yoke ?  It's something many of us, including myself, have a fascination with.  I'd be cool to own one.  There's certainly a market for them.

You had thoughts about selling in your yoke thread :

Starwars Yoke - DIY

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=89243.0

Ive thought about trying to sell things... but Randy and Andy would probably just bowl me over if I tried      I really cant complete with the technical wizardry and business experience/knowledge that they have.

Randy and Andy would be formidable competition.  But they're not selling yokes.

You'd be up against RAM Controls.

[Xiaou2]

 It would be nice to have a little side money... But really, I probably could only
go as far as making plans / How to build DVDs.

 Id have to re-design an enhanced version, and build at least two of them.
(One filmed)

 I doubt I could compete with manufacturing.  The labor and number of parts
on these are very high.   Im shocked David was to sell them at $300 at such
a low run number.  It may be hard to cough up that much money.. but the thing
will last a lifetime.

[Lilwolf]

Come on everyone... settle down a bit.

These guys aren't professional stores or manufacturers.  They are hobbiests.

My guess, they didn't realize how much labor it would be to put them together.  And the complete overload of orders they took.

The ONLY think they need to work on is communication, and hire a few kids from the neighborhood 10 bucks an hour to put them together during the first initial rush.

I've ordered from them before and got everything I ordered.  And its not like everyone hasn't been waiting for 4+ years for these exact same items.

[mytymaus007]

  Damm mushrooms

[CheffoJeffo]

 

and you were on eBay ... Danger! Danger ! Warning Will Robinson !

[Havok]

Just got some info from Dave - this may actually happen!

 

I should have my yoke by Wednesday; I'll keep everyone posted...

[polaris]

fingers crossed for you and this whole situation to work out.

[HaRuMaN]

Just got some info from Dave - this may actually happen!

 

I should have my yoke by Wednesday; I'll keep everyone posted...

Forgive me if I don't hold my breath...

[ratzz]

I think this is where there may be a cultural divide in this issue.

Here in the UK, when someone messes up (can’t give you a specific RAM-CONTROLS example) no matter how much arse kissing goes on, they are ruined. Where as you guys feel an apology and a promise works – I wish you luck – (and this is where I can’t understand it), unless the guy is pronounced DEAD he will still deliver the goods / refunds. Maybe if he is pronounced dead, his uncle will still finish off.

I am struggling to see where you all see the loyalty in all this – it absolutely “boggles” me – and to have such backing as the forum!

SW is my ULTIMATE fav game ... I have made no bones about it – My ultimate fantasy would be a full SW cab, and I would move my wife out to accommodate it. But Dave is ---- shock horror ---- A (---obscenity toned down by saint who will probably get grief for it---) --- and will not give us enthusiasts the products we want, as far as the yolk goes – I’d prefer to play SW with ‘z’, ‘x’, ‘;’, ‘.’ ... than order with Dave (BTW try it with those keys, it’s ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---).

Let him go – the per order was a money grabbing idea – and even if the few who were stupid enough to pre order get their yolks, is anyone seriously going to order again? DOOMED!

So, lets go with ‘X’ plans to reproduce one, and get our own yolk design  ...

(best not to mention Saint in all of this!)

[Franco B]

This is my intelligent input for now. Hope you still love me in the morning ratzz 

[smalltownguy]

*yolk yolk yolk*

That's 'Eggstra' funny, Franco 

[MameMaster!]

Just got some info from Dave - this may actually happen!

 

I should have my yoke by Wednesday; I'll keep everyone posted...

just out of curiosity-- how did his contact come about ? on his own accord? or did you reach out? 

[Havok]

Ratzz, you need to chill bro. I don't buy the cultural divide theory; besides you keep treating Ram Controls like it's a multi-million dollar corporation. He's a small business. In fact, he's a small business within a business; one that is run more out of love of the arcade rather than something to pay the bills. I honestly don't see these things making much if any profit. Of course it's going to be low priority. Dave has screwed up, and has admitted it. No-one is perfect, we all make mistakes. The real worth of a person is how they conduct themselves after making said mistakes. Will Dave make amends? I certainly hope so, and I really think he will.

I won't go into why Dave was late with the yokes after saying they were ready, that's up to him if he wishes to reveal it. I think at this point he doesn't want to keep coming here with excuses, he'd rather just get the yoke done. However, it has to be done right. And with that in mind, in the end, we all benefit from this mentality, even if it means another delay. Personally, I get the feeling he is going to do what was suggested earlier; get a bunch of these out the door and let the recipients do the talking.

We'll just have to see what Wednesday brings us...

just out of curiosity-- how did his contact come about ? on his own accord? or did you reach out?  

He responded to an email I sent the other day. Not only that, I replied and got another response within an hour!

 

[Gatt]

Ratzz, you need to chill bro. I don't buy the cultural divide theory; besides you keep treating Ram Controls like it's a multi-million dollar corporation. He's a small business. In fact, he's a small business within a business; one that is run more out of love of the arcade rather than something to pay the bills. I honestly don't see these things making much if any profit. Of course it's going to be low priority. Dave has screwed up, and has admitted it. No-one is perfect, we all make mistakes. The real worth of a person is how they conduct themselves after making said mistakes. Will Dave make amends? I certainly hope so, and I really think he will.

I won't go into why Dave was late with the yokes after saying they were ready, that's up to him if he wishes to reveal it. I think at this point he doesn't want to keep coming here with excuses, he'd rather just get the yoke done. However, it has to be done right. And with that in mind, in the end, we all benefit from this mentality, even if it means another delay. Personally, I get the feeling he is going to do what was suggested earlier; get a bunch of these out the door and let the recipients do the talking.

We'll just have to see what Wednesday brings us...

just out of curiosity-- how did his contact come about ? on his own accord? or did you reach out?  

He responded to an email I sent the other day. Not only that, I replied and got another response within an hour!

 

I agree.  It's not a question of cultural divide,  or misplaced loyalty,  it's simply a matter of being realistic.  As Havok said,  it's one man trying to manage something very complex,  in his spare time.  It's a niche hobby,  there's going to be some issues.  Like there were with Legacy Engineering,  which turned out fine.  Like there's going to be any delay if one orders a custom-built product from any of the other names in this hobby.

[TPB]

It's a niche hobby,  there's going to be some issues.

That's true.

Issues will arise, but there's no need for lies.  There was no honest reason for saying Havok's yoke was "on its way right now" when it plainly wasn't.

Still, these are merely small bumps in a long journey.  If Havok gets his yoke on Wednesday, it'll be time to celebrate !!    

As much as I'd love my own yoke, I'll remain hesitant about placing an order, until I see a truckload of customers receiving them.  Havok's all set for happiness, but we still don't know whether Dave has assembled any more than ONE unit of inventory.  How long shall it take for Yoke #2 to roll off the assembly line ?  

Hopefully we'll have the answers soon, to give us the confidence to place our orders.    

[DashRendar]

Over 6200 page views for this thread alone...That can't be good publicity.   

Hopefully this whole mess will come to a positive (albeit delayed) conclusion.   

[ChadTower]

It is a little troubling to those of us who have preorders in of other RAM Controls products, too.   

[Havok]

It is a little troubling to those of us who have preorders in of other RAM Controls products, too.   

I can see this yoke as being the most ambitious of his reproductions to date. Hopefully once this is a done deal, the other projects will complete in short order. I'm waiting on the USB controller for the yoke as well. I have a dual strike to hack in the meantime to tide me over, but I'd rather have that instead.

[ChadTower]

Hopefully once this is a done deal, the other projects will complete in short order.

There is nothing to justify that, is there?

[Havok]

Just enjoy your damn tokens!

 

[JustMichael]

Guys, if I were you I would be trying to get a refund on the yoke orders!!!

Why?  Dave starts this message thread saying that the yokes are done and shipping and over 30 days later nobody has received one yet.  No one has even mentioned getting a tracking number for a yoke yet either.  If the yokes were done and shipping as Dave clearly stated someone would have gotten one by now.  Saying the yokes were shipping was clearly a LIE probably used to drum up even more pre-orders for even more cash.

Would I like to buy a yoke?  Yes! BUT when I buy something I actually expect to get what I order in a reasonable amount of time and not a ton of excuses.  Am I going to "pre-order" a yoke?  F no!!!!

"A fool and his money are soon parted" and I don't like being a fool...

[XtraSmiley]

Guys, if I were you I would be trying to get a refund on the yoke orders!!!

Why?  Dave starts this message thread saying that the yokes are done and shipping and over 30 days later nobody has received one yet.  No one has even mentioned getting a tracking number for a yoke yet either.  If the yokes were done and shipping as Dave clearly stated someone would have gotten one by now.  Saying the yokes were shipping was clearly a LIE probably used to drum up even more pre-orders for even more cash.

Would I like to buy a yoke?  Yes! BUT when I buy something I actually expect to get what I order in a reasonable amount of time and not a ton of excuses.  Am I going to "pre-order" a yoke?  F no!!!!

"A fool and his money are soon parted" and I don't like being a fool...

Haa ha ah ah ha ah!

Welcome to the party!

[Havok]

I have a tracking number...

 

[smalltownguy]

Mm....



Fascinating

[Breaker]

Hi all,

I've requested clarification from Dave that Havok's tracking number is an indication that all pre-orders are shipping.
Will advise.

Breaker.

[Level42]

I saw a very nice original yoke for sale in the UK last saturday (in person). No-one was interested !!

I'm sure David will come through.

[HaRuMaN]

I'm sure David will come through.

Hey, I like your attitude...  on that note...  I have a bridge for sale.  Are you interested? 

[ChadTower]

I saw a very nice original yoke for sale in the UK last saturday (in person). No-one was interested !!

Was nobody interested or was nobody interested at an exhorbitant price?

[Havok]

I'm sure David will come through.

Hey, I like your attitude...  on that note...  I have a bridge for sale.  Are you interested?  

Only if it's cheap...

Sucks, I would have received the yoke today if it wasn't for the weather. On the flip side, what the hell is UPS thinking? They get it to the right state, then instead of bringing it upstate where it is supposed to go, they ship it back to Kentucky??? (Or does that mean it just sat waiting since there were adverse weather conditions?)

LOUISVILLE, KY, US   02/09/2010   7:52 A.M.   DEPARTURE SCAN
JAMAICA, NY, US   02/09/2010   5:38 A.M.   ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
LOUISVILLE, KY, US   02/09/2010   2:26 A.M.   ARRIVAL SCAN
ONTARIO, CA, US   02/08/2010   7:45 P.M.   DEPARTURE SCAN
02/08/2010   5:26 P.M.   PICKUP SCAN

[ChadTower]

Looks like it means the transport it was supposed to be on got cancelled and it never left Louisville.

[shardian]

It will be exciting to see the final products rolling in finally. I know this issue has been drug out and alot of bad things have been said. Thankfully, not all of us live in the UK. I've seen forum members and vendors go from 'scum of the earth' to highly respected members of the hobby. Once orders start showing up, all will be water under the bridge.

2 notes:

-I think Dave should be aware that Mamemaster a writer for gameroom magazine. I haven't seen this drama mentioned yet in print, but I bet he is chomping at the bit to write about it. Dave, get it together man and you can get a super sweet writeup!

- My vested interest in this project is that I want it resolved quickly and effectively so the Paperboy project can be put in motion. Many people here who have no interest in the SW yoke, have HIGH interest in other Ramcontrols projects that are suffering and in danger from this SW issue.  I don't want to see Dave get pissed and pack up, but at the same time I feel that plenty of folks here not having money invested in the SW yoke have plenty legitmate reason to be frustrated and chime in.

[ChadTower]

At the same time I can't see a single person putting in a preorder on anything going forward.  If his issues really are cash flow related this is likely the last thing we ever see from him.

[Havok]

It's in Jamaica, mon - everything is looking irie. Maybe I will get it today after all...

JAMAICA, NY, US   02/09/2010   10:02 A.M.   ARRIVAL SCAN

[RayB]

 
Hey, after all this, I feel like Havok will owe use some photos, videos and lots of posts. 

[JMB]

Hey, after all this, I feel like Havok will owe use some photos, videos and lots of posts. 

Yeah, but we have to pre-order them and wait two years.

[SirPeale]

So...did it come or what?

[Havok]

I think we can safely say that UPS sucks. Sorry Copious!

SECAUCUS, NJ, US     02/09/2010     10:19 P.M.     DEPARTURE SCAN
   02/09/2010    2:35 P.M.    ARRIVAL SCAN
NEWARK, NJ, US    02/09/2010    1:54 P.M.    DEPARTURE SCAN
   02/09/2010    12:11 P.M.    ARRIVAL SCAN
   02/09/2010    12:00 P.M.    ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
JAMAICA, NY, US    02/09/2010    11:23 A.M.    DEPARTURE SCAN
   02/09/2010    10:02 A.M.    ARRIVAL SCAN
LOUISVILLE, KY, US    02/09/2010    7:52 A.M.    DEPARTURE SCAN
JAMAICA, NY, US    02/09/2010    5:38 A.M.    ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
LOUISVILLE, KY, US    02/09/2010    2:26 A.M.    ARRIVAL SCAN
ONTARIO, CA, US    02/08/2010    7:45 P.M.    DEPARTURE SCAN
   02/08/2010    5:26 P.M.    PICKUP SCAN

Next day, ha!

 

They just sat on it for 8 freaking hours in Jersey, even though it's a next day air package. Unbelievable. Dave should get a refund for it being late...

Tomorrow will be a happy day - don't worry, I'll be posting when I get it.

[Gatt]

I think we can safely say that UPS sucks. Sorry Copious!

SECAUCUS, NJ, US     02/09/2010     10:19 P.M.     DEPARTURE SCAN
   02/09/2010    2:35 P.M.    ARRIVAL SCAN
NEWARK, NJ, US    02/09/2010    1:54 P.M.    DEPARTURE SCAN
   02/09/2010    12:11 P.M.    ARRIVAL SCAN
   02/09/2010    12:00 P.M.    ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
JAMAICA, NY, US    02/09/2010    11:23 A.M.    DEPARTURE SCAN
   02/09/2010    10:02 A.M.    ARRIVAL SCAN
LOUISVILLE, KY, US    02/09/2010    7:52 A.M.    DEPARTURE SCAN
JAMAICA, NY, US    02/09/2010    5:38 A.M.    ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
LOUISVILLE, KY, US    02/09/2010    2:26 A.M.    ARRIVAL SCAN
ONTARIO, CA, US    02/08/2010    7:45 P.M.    DEPARTURE SCAN
   02/08/2010    5:26 P.M.    PICKUP SCAN

Next day, ha!

 

They just sat on it for 8 freaking hours in Jersey, even though it's a next day air package. Unbelievable. Dave should get a refund for it being late...

Tomorrow will be a happy day - don't worry, I'll be posting when I get it.

In all fairness,  I think NJ's buried under around 30" on snow.  I know yesterday UPS was delivering packages in their personal vehicles.  They weren't running the trucks,  but that was in PA.

[Havok]

Bah! Don't they know how long I have waited for this?

 

[Havok]

OMG!!!

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=100162.0

[polaris]

really pleased for you, great news

[HaRuMaN]

They DO exist!

[Hoopz]

They DO exist!

One does at least.  Let's see if anyone else gets theirs.  And if anyone who happened to ask for a refund without a reply receives either his yoke or the money back.

Congrats Havok.

[HaRuMaN]

True.

[Katana Man]

For the last few years, I've had money standing by to order one. But I have no confidence in Dave's business ethics.

Dave, at this point, I think your best move is to sell to 3rd party vendor so we can all buy from an independant arcade supplier. That's probably the fastest way to move them.  I'd feel a lot better buying through some other business who has them in stock ready to ship.

[CheffoJeffo]

I might think that Dave would agree with you as he has sold his goods through other outlets before. Also leaves him free of the shitstorm that has erupted over this particular project.

Having said that ... how much do you really know about "independent arcade suppliers" ?  People ask about the established stores all the time.

[FrizzleFried]

[Necro]

What is that a picture of?  Definitely not a duck.

[TPB]

Two questions that are surely on everyone's lips :

Does Dave's cash flow problem mean that Havok's yoke shall have the prestige of being a one-off collector's item ?  Shall there ever be a yoke #2 ?

Havok, have you been able to hook up the yoke and play some games ?  Does it work ?  During gameplay, how does the feel and responsiveness compare to an original Atari yoke ?

[RayB]

What is that a picture of?  Definitely not a duck.

It's a mallard.

(well not really, but I wanted to make a The Office quote)

[ahofle]

What is that a picture of?  Definitely not a duck.

It's a mallard.

(well not really, but I wanted to make a The Office quote)

Heh, now I finally get your mallard joke in the EE thread (I did see that episode, but totally missed the reference).

[Havok]

Havok, have you been able to hook up the yoke and play some games ?  Does it work ?  During gameplay, how does the feel and responsiveness compare to an original Atari yoke ?

I just have a mockup right now, and the physical feel of the yoke is dead on. I'm bummed I just missed out on a Hydra yoke mount here by a couple of hours, so mdf it is. I might have to eventually find a local shop to make a metal mount, but that's for later. As far as gameplay - not yet; I still haven't been able to find the Dual Strike I purchased about 2 years ago. So, the race is on to either find the DS, or get Dave's USB interface. This weekend I'm going to tear apart the garage and see if I can find that thing.

Next month there might be a local arcade get together, and the host has a Star Wars cab. I'll be bringing the yoke over to compare directly, and hopefully get some good side-by-side pictures.I'll keep everyone posted.

As far as your first question, I sincerely hope that I don't have #1 of 1. I believe Dave will come through on these, hopefully sooner rather than later.

[HaRuMaN]

I think Havok just happened to be the squeaky wheel that got the grease...

The rest of you are screwed...   

[MameMaster!]

Harsh--- but I fear the same.....I really did want one of these!!! 

Has anyone other than Havok gotten one???

[mytymaus007]

Did anyone get there yokes

[Daviea]

Are you kidding?

A bunch of people got theirs - read the threads!  LOL

36 went out in the first lot, another 16 in the following lot and another 30-ish still needs to be shipped.  It's slow going, but they are shipping!!

Dave
 

Did anyone get there yokes

[Havok]

Did anyone get there yokes

Not only did they get their yokes, the USB interfaces have shipped as well. I just got mine and it works great!

[mytymaus007]

Anyone install their yoke in a control panel yet! Any Pics. OH yeh What the wait on a new YOKE order, or will it be a while for new Orders

[Daviea]

Someone posted pictures of their yoke mounted in a control panel here on BYOAC, I believe.....was it the circle is complete thread??  Havok, do you recall?

The wait time will be minimal for any orders coming in right now.  I've about for this last lot put together which also includes a few orders placed in the last week. 

Want to minimize it even more? I would suggest holding off ordering one about one more week.

Dave

[Breaker]

Hi all,

Speaking of mounting the yoke in a control panel, can anyone advise at what angle the yoke should be installed?
(even better, does anyone know the angle at which the yoke was installed on the original Star Wars cab?)

Thanks!
Breaker.

[Cananas]

Hi all,

Speaking of mounting the yoke in a control panel, can anyone advise at what angle the yoke should be installed?
(even better, does anyone know the angle at which the yoke was installed on the original Star Wars cab?)

Thanks!
Breaker.

I don't remember where, but in another post someone commented that is installed at 45º from the vertical.

** EDIT ** Here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=90963.0 you have some screenshots.

[Neverending Project]

Speaking of mounting the yoke in a control panel, can anyone advise at what angle the yoke should be installed?
(even better, does anyone know the angle at which the yoke was installed on the original Star Wars cab?)

Also here:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=100795.msg1069064#msg1069064

[Breaker]

Thanks Cananas and Neverending!

45 degrees it is.

Breaker.

[catdoogan]

Hello all.

I was just wondering if anyone has received a yoke from the second large shipment yet?  I know I haven't waited as long as some of you guys on here but it's been over four months...

Thanks
Dave

[Daviea]

Hey Dave,

I've shipped out almost 70 of these things and I'm still not done!!  Technically, there's been three "lots" shipped.  I had to break down the second lot into smaller QTY lots for the sake of logistics.

I'm assembling/testing them as fast as I can, but it's just not fast enough.  I sure could use some help with building them!!!  LOL

No, serious... Anyone in the area want to swing by and offer me some help this week or next week?  I'm sure I can work out something equitable for any help received.

So, bottom line is that I've got about two to three lots (depending on how I break it down) remaining before I am completely caught up.  It's still first come, first served, so yokes are being shipped in order.

If you're waiting on a yoke, please try to hang in there.

Dave

Hello all.

I was just wondering if anyone has received a yoke from the second large shipment yet?  I know I haven't waited as long as some of you guys on here but it's been over four months...

Thanks
Dave

[MameMaster!]

I'm finishing up an article for GameRoom re Dave's yoke-- but here's my old post on my hacked one (from an original SWs cab-- this is not his repro) and how I had mounted it--- my article will feature all updated photos of Dave's yoke.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=29208.msg244528

[lcmgadgets]

Wow. That is one beautiful yoke. I'd sure love to have one...and I just can't afford it. Keep up the good work (sigh)...

[Level42]

I'm finishing up an article for GameRoom re Dave's yoke-- but here's my old post on my hacked one (from an original SWs cab-- this is not his repro) and how I had mounted it--- my article will feature all updated photos of Dave's yoke.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=29208.msg244528

Am I glad that no original yoke got hurt in that picture...

[Gatt]

Is there anyone else that preordered and still haven't received their yoke?

[catdoogan]

I was not one of the long term pre-orders, but I did order mine at the beginning of January 2010 right after regular orders were announced.  I haven't received mine yet but Dave says that it will be shipped this week.  I can't wait!!

[WareWolF]

I am still waiting for my pre-order.    David might be pissed at me for mentioning it so often and maybe he put me at the bottom of his list, or maybe he just decided F--- WareWolF, which I would understand but it would be nice if he would say so.

[Havok]

Shameless plug for if you need a USB interface...

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=103787.0

[Hoopz]

I am still waiting for my pre-order.    David might be pissed at me for mentioning it so often and maybe he put me at the bottom of his list, or maybe he just decided F--- WareWolF, which I would understand but it would be nice if he would say so.

Any word on this?  Or is Dave still dicking around with you?

Considering you are/were a pre-order, it should have been done long before now.  He'll probably tell you to email him again and won't get it do to spam settings or some other b.s.

[nick3092]

I pre-ordered and am still waiting. Dave emailed me on 7/3 and told me mine would ship "next week". This was the second (maybe third) time he's told me this. And when I emailed him last week asking for an update... no response.

I understand that there may be delays in a project like this. But just tell the truth. I still have faith he will come through. But the lack of replies and lies is a little tiring....

[agpage]

Well, apparently a large shipment went out last night.  I got mine this morning.  I threw together a stand just to try it out.  It works great.

Hopefully everyone else will get theirs as well.

Andy

[taylormadelv]

It's great that people are receiving the parts they ordered. The real question here is, does anyone trust Dave enough to order stuff in the future? I really want one of those SW Yoke USB interfaces but I'm very hesitant to place an order with the kind of track record I've seen. One guy waited 57 weeks to get his pre-paid SW Yoke! Arcade collectors are so forgiving this guy because he makes stuff no one else ever will but I cannot pony up PayPal and feel confident in a transaction right now. Dave, please find a trusted distributor that will accept regular credit cards, PLEASE.

[agpage]

It's great that people are receiving the parts they ordered. The real question here is, does anyone trust Dave enough to order stuff in the future? I really want one of those SW Yoke USB interfaces but I'm very hesitant to place an order with the kind of track record I've seen. One guy waited 57 months to get his pre-paid SW Yoke! Arcade collectors are so forgiving this guy because he makes stuff no one else ever will but I cannot pony up PayPal and feel confident in a transaction right now. Dave, please find a trusted distributor that will accept regular credit cards, PLEASE.

I was the one that just posted that I waited 57 weeks not months.  I also baught a USB interface and got it 5 days later with Saturday delivery. 

My feeling (And since I do not know Dave it is just that) is that he was great at making parts, and putting the silly things together took way longer than expected.  Since the USB interface does not have to be assembled, I think it is a safer order.

Plus, I think that Havok had one for sale.  Ask him.

[Gatt]

It's great that people are receiving the parts they ordered. The real question here is, does anyone trust Dave enough to order stuff in the future? I really want one of those SW Yoke USB interfaces but I'm very hesitant to place an order with the kind of track record I've seen. One guy waited 57 months to get his pre-paid SW Yoke! Arcade collectors are so forgiving this guy because he makes stuff no one else ever will but I cannot pony up PayPal and feel confident in a transaction right now. Dave, please find a trusted distributor that will accept regular credit cards, PLEASE.

I trust Dave enough.

I ran into some issues ordering with Dave,  issues that anywhere else would've been sufficient to completely derail my order.  I'm being vague because I don't think there's cause to tell the whole story.

I contacted Dave regarding the issues,  and received a response in just hours.  Dave and I worked together to resolve the issues so that neither of us suffered unduly.  Today I received my Star Wars yoke and USB board that I ordered in December.

I can say with absolute confidence that I would place another order with Dave again,  and that he is absolutely a man of honor.  I think the only problem here is that Dave had taken on a project of significant complexity,  and that he was excted he would be able to deliver a holy grail to our niche.  He might've gotten a little ahead of himself in announcing,  but I would've too with this offering.

[Hoopz]

Today I received my Star Wars yoke and USB board that I ordered in December.

You understand that there are still people who pre-ordered who haven't received their item yet?  It's not your fault that you received yours now, but it's pretty idiotic that someone who pre-ordered hasn't received his yet.

[taylormadelv]

Here's the rub though.... Dave started a NEW sales thread on KLOV for "Pre-Production" Yokes (whatever that means) when people that had already paid for Yokes and had been waiting for months, did not get theirs. Why was he trying to sell more yokes when people that were waiting were not getting theirs? There is no argument about the quality of products, it's the FULFILLMENT part that has issues here...

[Havok]

Plus, I think that Havok had one for sale.  Ask him.

Sorry - I sold it already...

[WareWolF]

I am still waiting for my pre-order.    David might be pissed at me for mentioning it so often and maybe he put me at the bottom of his list, or maybe he just decided F--- WareWolF, which I would understand but it would be nice if he would say so.

Any word on this?  Or is Dave still dicking around with you?

Considering you are/were a pre-order, it should have been done long before now.  He'll probably tell you to email him again and won't get it do to spam settings or some other b.s.

Have not seen it yet or heard from Dave for some time.  It does seem that whenever I complain one or two other people magically get theirs, so at least it's helping others.  I really hate to bash a guy who is makng products nobody else is, but I cannot recommend anybody order until he can provide proof he actually has some qty of assembled units in stock ready to ship.

[Gatt]

Today I received my Star Wars yoke and USB board that I ordered in December.

You understand that there are still people who pre-ordered who haven't received their item yet?  It's not your fault that you received yours now, but it's pretty idiotic that someone who pre-ordered hasn't received his yet.

No sir,  I was not aware of that,  I find that disappointing,  I'd thought he'd been going by order dates.

[mytymaus007]

IS this one of the longest threads we have had or just alot of unhappy game players, Is this controller for real Should i order one or ill be waiting forever for one. i was hoping to get one for Christmas 2009. You think i would get one by this Christmas. All I want for Chrismas is 1 YOKE

[Havok]

Took me three years to get mine, but boy was it worth it.

That being said, I would get the rebuild kit and used one and just restore a used one if you want it now.

(There is someone else selling rebuild kits on eBay last time I checked - which I believe are Ram Controls kits that they bought)

[catdoogan]

Okay, I finally got mine and it is nice.  I wrecked my camera so no pictures but I'll try to get some of the mount when I get it finished.

It took a while to get but it is worth it.  Thanks again for a great build Dave.

[mytymaus007]

Okay, I finally got mine and it is nice.  I wrecked my camera so no pictures but I'll try to get some of the mount when I get it finished.

It took a while to get but it is worth it.  Thanks again for a great build Dave.

When did you order your yoke

[RobotronNut]

i just noticed this thread is still around. i ordered mine late december and have not yet received it. several times over the last 7 months, i've emailed dave and he's told me that it was "about to ship."

we exchanged emails again last week, and i was told i should expect a tracking number monday. i haven't gotten one yet, but this is the first time he's promised a specific date, so i guess that's progress...

 

[JustMichael]

IMHO, replacing one lie with another doesn't seem like progress to me at all!   

[Havok]

Dave is back - at least on Klov. Try emailing him again...

[nick3092]

I emailed Dave today as it had been about a month since he last told me it was shipping. He replied and said he is down to 6 and mine is one of them and should ship tonight or Monday.

[mytymaus007]

I emailed Dave today as it had been about a month since he last told me it was shipping. He replied and said he is down to 6 and mine is one of them and should ship tonight or Monday.

whem did  you order the yoke

[nick3092]

Mid to late October.

[mytymaus007]

damm i guess i will not get my christmas if i order today! maybe for christmas 2011

[catdoogan]

I ordered mine at the beginning of January 2010.  Took me lots of e-mailing but I finally got it.

[nick3092]

I ordered mine at the beginning of January 2010.  Took me lots of e-mailing but I finally got it.

Interesting.  I ordered about 3 months before you and I am still without mine.  So that indicates Dave is not shipping these based on order date.  Maybe he is sending them out based on who is complaining more often.  Hardly seems fair.

[Paul Olson]

He posted on KLOV today that all yoke orders have been shipped as of today. I haven't received a tracking number, but I am hoping to see my yoke waiting for me when I get home from work tomorrow.

[HaRuMaN]

I ordered mine at the beginning of January 2010.  Took me lots of e-mailing but I finally got it.

Interesting.  I ordered about 3 months before you and I am still without mine.  So that indicates Dave is not shipping these based on order date.  Maybe he is sending them out based on who is complaining more often.  Hardly seems fair.

Squeaky wheel.  Grease.

You should squeak louder.

[shrunkenmaster]

I need the dimensions of the Star Wars yoke - overall width x depth x height - just what's visible above the control panel, not including what's underneath. Anyone? Thank you kindly.

[nick3092]

He posted on KLOV today that all yoke orders have been shipped as of today. I haven't received a tracking number, but I am hoping to see my yoke waiting for me when I get home from work tomorrow.

So did you get yours?  I still haven't.  And he has ignored two emails this week asking for a tracking number.

[polaris]

He posted on KLOV today that all yoke orders have been shipped as of today. I haven't received a tracking number, but I am hoping to see my yoke waiting for me when I get home from work tomorrow.

So did you get yours?  I still haven't.  And he has ignored two emails this week asking for a tracking number.

i would sign up at klov if i were you, he's active over there shipping out bargain stuff to say sorry for the latest delays.
i don't think he's avoiding you, but i do think he may be the least organised person in the world.

[Paul Olson]

He posted on KLOV today that all yoke orders have been shipped as of today. I haven't received a tracking number, but I am hoping to see my yoke waiting for me when I get home from work tomorrow.

So did you get yours?  I still haven't.  And he has ignored two emails this week asking for a tracking number.

i would sign up at klov if i were you, he's active over there shipping out bargain stuff to say sorry for the latest delays.
i don't think he's avoiding you, but i do think he may be the least organised person in the world.

I haven't received mine. I hope you are right about the disorganization polaris. I am having a really hard time believing that right now. I have PMed him at KLOV with no reply, and I can see that he has logged in at least a couple of times since then.

[polaris]

He posted on KLOV today that all yoke orders have been shipped as of today. I haven't received a tracking number, but I am hoping to see my yoke waiting for me when I get home from work tomorrow.

So did you get yours?  I still haven't.  And he has ignored two emails this week asking for a tracking number.

i would sign up at klov if i were you, he's active over there shipping out bargain stuff to say sorry for the latest delays.
i don't think he's avoiding you, but i do think he may be the least organised person in the world.

I haven't received mine. I hope you are right about the disorganization polaris. I am having a really hard time believing that right now. I have PMed him at KLOV with no reply, and I can see that he has logged in at least a couple of times since then.

i think i would start a thread and post in other threads of his just saying youre waiting for a reply, he might notice it and respond, it honestly seems as hit and miss as that to me, go make lots of polite noise there, i don't think he bothers with this place much. he definitely wants his reputation as a bad shipper repaired so if you get public i'm sure you'll be dealt with. i hope so anyway  

[Paul Olson]

He posted on KLOV today that all yoke orders have been shipped as of today. I haven't received a tracking number, but I am hoping to see my yoke waiting for me when I get home from work tomorrow.

So did you get yours?  I still haven't.  And he has ignored two emails this week asking for a tracking number.

i would sign up at klov if i were you, he's active over there shipping out bargain stuff to say sorry for the latest delays.
i don't think he's avoiding you, but i do think he may be the least organised person in the world.

I haven't received mine. I hope you are right about the disorganization polaris. I am having a really hard time believing that right now. I have PMed him at KLOV with no reply, and I can see that he has logged in at least a couple of times since then.

i think i would start a thread and post in other threads of his just saying youre waiting for a reply, he might notice it and respond, it honestly seems as hit and miss as that to me, go make lots of polite noise there, i don't think he bothers with this place much. he definitely wants his reputation as a bad shipper repaired so if you get public i'm sure you'll be dealt with. i hope so anyway  

I did start a thread the other day at KLOV, and I received a PM from Dave a few minutes ago. He said the yoke will ship on Monday, so I will update with the status on Tuesday.

[Paul Olson]

I received a tracking number from Dave today, and the package was picked up this evening. I should have it tomorrow.

If you need to get in touch with Dave, try PM at KLOV.

[RobotronNut]

finally got mine, almost 8 mos after i ordered it!
good thing i wasn't in a hurry.

it arrived in good condition and appears to be very well-built.

now i need a good design for a simple panel to mount it in,
something about the same footprint as my SlikStik Classic
control panel (same footprint as the current MameRoom Classic).
anybody have any pointers?

[Havok]

Paul - did you get yours yet?

Hopefully that finishes this little debacle and Dave can start fresh - I'd really like to see vector monitors come back on the scene...

[WareWolF]

I finally heard from david over at klov.   He claims he got my yoke order switched with someone else and sent it to the wrong address.   He said he will mail another one out to my correct address soon, I'll report back when it shows up.

[nick3092]

After finally getting in touch with Dave over at KLOV, I got mine Wed.  But the wires were severed where they come out the tube in back.  Dave said he would replace it, so I shipped it back to him and am now waiting for the replacement.

[Paul Olson]

Sorry, I thought I updated this thread already. My yoke arrived on Tuesday. I am still waiting on the chip lot I ordered, but once I get that, Dave will be caught up on my stuff.

[polaris]

Sorry, I thought I updated this thread already. My yoke arrived on Tuesday. I am still waiting on the chip lot I ordered, but once I get that, Dave will be caught up on my stuff.

great news, i do hope from now on dave at least buys a notepad to write down orders as they come in, i feel that would be a massive leap forward on his current filing system

[S0L]

I've got mine - finally

I'll not go into how long I've waited, we all know these took a while. However, in Daves defense, let's just remember that building something like this is an astonishing complicated project. Not only are we getting a repro that exceeds the original specifications, but it's a complicated thing to build and make work. He's also making a product that only appeals to a very limited market. This hobby needs people like Dave who can create controllers that most of us just aren't able to do ourselves.

And what an awesome piece of work! It literally oozes quality. In my line of work I've worked with a number of arcade games, and believe me, the build quality, attention to detail, solidity and finish have exceeded a lot of more modern controllers. I can see this lasting for years, it's very, very well made. When it arrived I had a guy here from a major arcade developer, he literally couldn't believe that someone could make such a controller as a side project. I beleive he'll be ordering one

The Repro art I got with it too is wonderful. Professionally printed and on high quality materials.. Put a chill down my spine as I've not seen a real yoke with the art in a long, long time.

So yes, I'm very happy. All I need know is to build something worthy of it!

Would I buy from Dave again? Absolutely. In fact I ordered the USB interface minutes after the yoke arrived!

Top job Dave, let's hope your next projects are a little less stressful

---
S0L
---

[Havok]

Glad to see you finally got yours - I believe you were part of the dirty dozen club.

The USB interface is nice; you'll definitely like it when you get it...

[WareWolF]

Well 2 weeks and still no update on shipping (as expected).   nick3092 did you ever get your replacment?   I would fixed it myself before sending it back maybe to never be seen again.

[Hoopz]

Well 2 weeks and still no update on shipping (as expected).   nick3092 did you ever get your replacment?   I would fixed it myself before sending it back maybe to never be seen again.

That really sucks.   

[nick3092]

Well 2 weeks and still no update on shipping (as expected).   nick3092 did you ever get your replacment?   I would fixed it myself before sending it back maybe to never be seen again.

I pm'd Dave last week. He is currently trying to get a line on pre cut foam for future shipments to prevent what happened to mine.

[WareWolF]

oh neat....  I can see it now, another 2 month delay as packing materials are difficult to find and the samples he ordered do not meet his high quality standards, then special tape will be required to seal the packages which is only able to applied by a expensive exotic machine which will require a new 3 phase service from the electric company that will take six months to get.

[jimmy2x2x]

lol

[RayB]

I wish this forum had a "LIKE" button.   

RayB likes Warewolf's post

[JustMichael]

oh neat....  I can see it now, another 2 month delay as packing materials are difficult to find and the samples he ordered do not meet his high quality standards, then special tape will be required to seal the packages which is only able to applied by a expensive exotic machine which will require a new 3 phase service from the electric company that will take six months to get.

 

[Donkey_Kong]

I wish this forum had a "LIKE" button.   

I've thought that before too,we must be catching 'teh ghey' from fb.

[atarijaguar]

I see some people have actually received their controllers???

Makes me wonder what has happened with my order.

Oct. 19, 2009 (over 14 months ago).

Dave any idea when you'll have all the pre-orders filled?

Thanks!

[JustMichael]

I see some people have actually received their controllers???

Makes me wonder what has happened with my order.

Oct. 19, 2009 (over 14 months ago).

Dave any idea when you'll have all the pre-orders filled?

Thanks!

Gee Dave...  How many more people still waiting on a yoke are going to come out of the woodwork?

[pinballwizard79]

All I wanted was a Pepsi & she wouldnt give it to me

[amendonz]

just 1 pepsi! and she wouldn't give it to me!

ST rules.

[Bender]

All I wanted was a Pepsi & she wouldnt give it to me

just 1 pepsi! and she wouldn't give it to me!

ST rules.